Dutch folk-tinged slowcore duo Coaster are quite comfortable in their lo-fi niche. Paul Dijkman and Bart Appel have broadened their musical horizon a bit on their new album Painted Faces, using a mandolin, EBows and surprisingly melodic slide guitar. That being said, their music is an acquired taste for most. It can get pretty dark, foreboding even, but having a working knowledge of the gentler side of bands like The Jesus and Mary Chain and the - in this case - unavoidable Guided By Voices goes a long way in order to appreciate them for they are aiming at: soft-spoken music that digs deep and goes against the grain.
Dijkman and Appel - with a little help by Vera Mennens (vocals on In This Room and Back And Forth and Jasper Boogaard pitching in as synth player, besides mixing and mastering the album - have all the trappings of becoming a big name in the Dutch underground. With this kind of next level soul-searching about dealing with their emotions and inner demons, they don't hide behind the make-up that gave the album its name. It is a take it or leave it statement that does not need to raise its voice to be heard loud and clear.
Painted Faces is released via Tiny Room Records (vinyl, digital) and Dying Dutchman Records (cassette). Release date: April 5.
Tracks:- I Want It All
- Detach
- Memory
- Snot
- In This Room
- Nights
- Back And Forth
- What You're Doing To Me
- Waves
- 04/11 Utrecht, Netherlands @ dB’s (album release show - w/ Immen)
» Coaster on Instagram