Listen: Eyes & No Eyes – “The Drowned World” [Premiere]

Brighton four-piece Eyes & No Eyes certainly sport a curious pedigree, having run in such disparate circles as Laura Marling’s and former Can front man, Damo Suzuki’s, bands.

The band’s material, including this latest single premiering today on Best Fit, “The Drowned World”, would seem to belie both of these roots, instead settling for a late 70s/early 80s British post-punk sound. As one could guess from its title, “The Drowned World” is far from cheery fare, but delivers riveting tension in its scaffolding layers and dramatic shifts in dynamics.

At the outset, vocalist Tristram Bawtree is accompanied by a skeletal guitar line backed by a persistent, unsettling squeal. From there, the sound gradually builds in cracking snares, swelling strings, and an ever-burgeoning bass on the low end until – drop the strings and bass. Bawtree intones the song’s title as the strings and bass build once again, fiercer than before, adding synths to the stew until….no spoiler here, folks, gotta check out the tune!

Eyes & No Eyes’ debut is due out on Willkommen Records on March 31. Catch them at Green Store Door, Brighton on April 7 supporting Peggy Sue.