Just over two years ago Blakfish released ‘Champions’ to high critical acclaim yet minimal commercial success. Fast forward to the present day: Blakfish is no more, and in its place three members release their first LP under the moniker &U&I. ‘Light Bearer’ picks up where ‘Champions’ left off, although improving on the formula which led to the positivity from the industry. Although it may seem unfair to judge the newest release against an album released by a previous band, the direct transfusion of three members expectedly leads to a remarkable number of similarities.
‘Light Bearer’ is difficult to define in terms of genre. The band are experimenters, working on repeatedly changing time signatures supporting a shift in sound from track to track. At times songs are reminiscent of the slower side of post-hardcore before shifting towards a unique take on the ever-present indie sound. What helps to distinguish &U&I from their previous incarnation is the ominous undertones running from start to finish; be it lyrics such as “Push your foot into the floor, I’ll kill you all” or “Here it comes, it’s the rapture, you better run for your life”, or be it intensely creepy interlude-of-sorts: ‘Super Five’. In fact, particularly lyrically, it feels as if the band have created a soundtrack to your worst nightmare, and you just can’t stop listening.
‘Light Bearer’ is the older brother of ‘Champions’ in all ways that the metaphor suggests. The album is more complicated, more erratic, yet more mature. The song composition, although unpredictable, is evidently more carefully considered with incredibly positive results. &U&I have created something so dramatically different and complex that it may not appeal to a wider audience, but for those who like their music somewhere between mathcore and commercial indie with a side of darkness, ‘Light Bearer’ might just become your favourite of the year.
BEN TIPPLE