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Whilst the words ‘ethereal’, ‘intense’, ‘atmospheric’, and ‘emotive’ could be– and have been – parred-up in relation to near-enough-all music in near-enough-all genres, they seem particular apt at describing the sound of Brighton-based Mojo Fins’ EP The Spirit. The problem is that such descriptions often hold positive connotations outright: here the difference is not so clear-cut.
With a tentative, acoustic-guitar-led sound that reinforces the delicately crooned vocals, the band stand true to a plethora of melancholic bands with solid foundations that slowly move forward in their own time. The depressive laments of Keane, Editors, Airship, and – in their more piano-led days – Coldplay, can be heard alongside the gentle tides of the guitar. The music itself suits its purpose well, remaining sombre but somehow optimistic in its outlook, but the vocals at times detract from the focus-less daze created by the music below. Perhaps the most glaring example of this is the chorus of opener 'Sweet Spirit': “the Spirit..Sweet Spirit….Is there in..is there in the fallen...leaves”. The awkward phrasing grinds irritatingly against the consistent finger-picking of the guitar; the repetition of each line sounds unimaginative.
'K2' saves some of this ground with its stripped-back setting. Just acoustic guitar and vocals, with a angelic cloud of harmonisation sitting above, the song feels as if it reaches towards better things. The sudden rising of melody towards the end of each verse links beautifully into the simple chorus. The melodies and chords themselves are themselves unexpected, exposing a thoughtful twist that greatly improves the impact of the song whilst curtailing mundanity.
'Palace Of Memory' begins with some Brian Eno-esque ambience before introducing the sober resonance of the acoustic guitar, driven forward by the quiet push of the bass drum. Asides from the bounding pre-chorus, the song sides closely to the realms of predictability, a situation that also introduces problems for the final track on the E.P. Beginning in much the same way as 'Palace of Memory', 'When I Go' is similar in style to 'Sweet Spirit' but lacks the subtle elements that allow 'Palace' to remain interesting.
Whilst interesting and enveloping in its own way, the tentative style employed by Mojo Fins lacks the racking anxiety that could ultimately complete their ambient, atmospheric sound. The lack of intensity degrades the emotive qualities of the music to some extent but the obvious sombre characteristics of the music seep through.
“Ethereal” is perhaps the most appropriate word, of the four initially proposed, to describe them; spacious and airy, their sound floats by with its own pace, with plenty happening above the earthly realms of guitar, bass, and drums. The clouds of harmonisation found throughout the album, best documented in 'K2', are the most interesting and effective aspects of the EP and often help to bond each aspect of the song together. Perhaps the stripped-down sound of 'K2' is their optimal sound, with the focus drawn more towards the subtle intricacies of the music itself instead of the vocals which, while sung well, are clunky in comparison.
With a tentative, acoustic-guitar-led sound that reinforces the delicately crooned vocals, the band stand true to a plethora of melancholic bands with solid foundations that slowly move forward in their own time. The depressive laments of Keane, Editors, Airship, and – in their more piano-led days – Coldplay, can be heard alongside the gentle tides of the guitar. The music itself suits its purpose well, remaining sombre but somehow optimistic in its outlook, but the vocals at times detract from the focus-less daze created by the music below. Perhaps the most glaring example of this is the chorus of opener 'Sweet Spirit': “the Spirit..Sweet Spirit….Is there in..is there in the fallen...leaves”. The awkward phrasing grinds irritatingly against the consistent finger-picking of the guitar; the repetition of each line sounds unimaginative.
'K2' saves some of this ground with its stripped-back setting. Just acoustic guitar and vocals, with a angelic cloud of harmonisation sitting above, the song feels as if it reaches towards better things. The sudden rising of melody towards the end of each verse links beautifully into the simple chorus. The melodies and chords themselves are themselves unexpected, exposing a thoughtful twist that greatly improves the impact of the song whilst curtailing mundanity.
WATCH // 'Sweet Spirit'
'Palace Of Memory' begins with some Brian Eno-esque ambience before introducing the sober resonance of the acoustic guitar, driven forward by the quiet push of the bass drum. Asides from the bounding pre-chorus, the song sides closely to the realms of predictability, a situation that also introduces problems for the final track on the E.P. Beginning in much the same way as 'Palace of Memory', 'When I Go' is similar in style to 'Sweet Spirit' but lacks the subtle elements that allow 'Palace' to remain interesting.
Whilst interesting and enveloping in its own way, the tentative style employed by Mojo Fins lacks the racking anxiety that could ultimately complete their ambient, atmospheric sound. The lack of intensity degrades the emotive qualities of the music to some extent but the obvious sombre characteristics of the music seep through.
“Ethereal” is perhaps the most appropriate word, of the four initially proposed, to describe them; spacious and airy, their sound floats by with its own pace, with plenty happening above the earthly realms of guitar, bass, and drums. The clouds of harmonisation found throughout the album, best documented in 'K2', are the most interesting and effective aspects of the EP and often help to bond each aspect of the song together. Perhaps the stripped-down sound of 'K2' is their optimal sound, with the focus drawn more towards the subtle intricacies of the music itself instead of the vocals which, while sung well, are clunky in comparison.
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