It’s a rare and wonderful occasion when you get to shout about a band you’ve been repping since their first release in 2012. The same year DKFM was born, so also was the heavygaze sound of Bedroom Eyes, with their debut LP, What Are You Wrong With. A torrid and chaotic tour through discordant riffs and emotionally charged vocals, several key tracks flow through our regular rotation seven years later. Impact: made.
2015’s Honeysuckle LP followed, weirder and wilder than before: partly intricate and structured, part controlled chaos and destruction. And the tension worked: it’s a full album’s journey through dissonance and disappointment, an ambitious landmark in the development of Bedroom Eyes’ signature sound.
But it’s 2019 now. The times are darker, the urgency more intense. And Bedroom Eyes are set to unleash their most direct and impactful statement yet. Nerves, the third long-player from these Boston shoegazers, is unleashed on 31 October. And it seems a culmination of all that’s gone before it. First single “Wonder” is literally that: a sludgy, dreamy wonder of sonic construction, anchored by an air-raid siren of a hook that grabs your attention immediately.
We couldn’t be happier to provide the premiere stream of Nerves, the masterful third LP from Bedroom Eyes. Press play, and we’ll provide some impressions below.
“Without Body” opens Nerves, and a low guitar growl sets the stage. A drum break adds heft, and tremolo guitar chimes in, making you feel right at home in this world. Rhythm section sets the tone, and propels chiming guitars and sweetly spooky choral line. They’re not afraid to break it all down midway through, reset, and drive it home with authority. If “Without Body” has you bobbing your head, you’ve been captured. “Wire” follows up with a fast postpunk foundation, demanding your attention. Rhythm guitar churns, while lead plays an intricate line against the backdrop, and it’s pure mastery. A perfect one-two punch.
This preamble leads right into “Wonder”, which we’ve already touched on. Warm and woozy, you may exit the song feeling slightly disoriented, by design. Surrender already. By the time the uber-fuzzy “Vulnerable” breaks in, it’s an oddly endearing break in the action: no fastbreak rhythms, no drums at all, just a descent into controlled distortion, clearing the sonic palate. Because there’s more supercharged treats to follow.
It’s probably inappropriate to break down every track on Nerves. If you’ve gotten this far, you already know it’s a solid effort, and a contender for the year’s Best Of lists. It’s a sound Bedroom Eyes have spent years honing and sharpening, and their ear for songwriting has never been more on point. Little moments, snatches of melody set against sonic maelstrom, and you’ll already be compelled to listen again. It’s an album that arrives strong on first listen, and only grows with repeated exposure.
Don’t be surprised to hear much of this album in our rotation for years to come. It’s obvious how much effort went into this record, layers upon layers of detail show through. And it’s gratifying to see a band we fell in love with seven years ago fully come into their own.
Nerves is released via Dome A Records on October 31st. Thus far only one show is announced to support the LP, though we suspect that will change. Bedroom Eyes plays Hong Kong in Boston, supporting the always epic Tennis System on November 21st. Bring earplugs, as your ears will ring, just as your blood pressure rises.
Follow Bedroom Eyes on Bandcamp, Instagram, Facebook and (occasionally) Twitter, especially as release date approaches. All photos in this presentation are provided by the courtesy of Mavric Creative, with thanks.
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