With a title like ‘Obsessive Compulsive Gender Dysphoria’ it’s clear that Ghost Of The Avalanche have thrown subtlety to the wind with this, their fourth EP. Sat somewhere between the bass-led dance rock of Death From Above 1979 and the fuzzed-out filth of Pissed Jeans, this duo have crafted quite the distinctive racket over five short tracks.
Opener ‘Oblivion’ is 81 seconds of pure punk energy, leading into the much more rhythmic ‘They Hate You Too’. The bass tone on this track is disgusting (in a good way) and perfectly guides the frenetic call-and-response vocals.
The second half of the EP takes a step back in terms of rage and it’s here where the lyrical messages of the record are given much more room to breathe. The infectious, sleazy hooks of ‘Snakecharmer’ set the backdrop for a tale of misplaced machismo, whilst closer ‘Dystopia’ observes the band trying “to make sense of this world”, which could be on a personal level or taking a wider look at society. Either way, it’s clear that Ghost Of The Avalanche are socially aware, which really should be a box that has to be ticked before any band is allowed to describe itself as punk.
This chaotic yet catchy record clocks in at just over 10 minutes but in that time it covers so much ground, both musically and thematically, that it really takes a few listens to take it all in. Not that this is an issue, as ‘Obsessive Compulsive Gender Dysphoria’ is a fantastic listen and only gets better with each spin. It will be exciting to see what Ghost Of The Avalanche do in terms of a full length record in the future, but in the meantime this gem is a short sharp blast that is sure to leave people wanting more.
LIAM KNOWLES