"Slide" and "Tackle" by Diffuse
Review
If you have enjoyed an Underbelly gig (I certainly have) you'll no doubt be really pleased to learn of their diversification into becoming a label too
Tomorrow night (Friday September 25th) sees the official launch at the LTB Showrooms with Diffuse showcasing their own debut ("Slide"/"Tackle") with support from the already legendary HomeBread popping back up from their new base in London to play a special acoustic set: many people would consider their presence along sufficient reason to attend) plus George Dillon with songs from his forthcoming album.
So who are Diffuse? Well, if you enjoyed our ‘Hot Music Live Presents Volume Thirteen' compilation, you may remember the track "Headstone" by Vertigo Flowers. Sadly that band is no longer together, but Matt (bass) has joined Jed (vocals & guitar) and Elliot (drums) in this new group.
Recorded at Hedgeside Studios and mixed by Elliot Kelly, the two songs are more evidence of what might be the signs of a broader revival of shoegaze, given the totally impossible to miss revitalisation of the genre right here on our own doorstep by What About Eric? It certainly would be good if this scene was given a general breath of new life & even better if Coventry & Warwickshire could claim some sort of part in it.
Of course the area has spawned at least one new genre in the past but that dwindled quickly for various reasons, not least that while many jumped onto the bandwagon, few were anywhere near as good as the pioneers. What is needed for sustaining a scene is diversity within the style allied to original talent. Copyists don't endure.
I think we may have something with Diffuse. Having a singer with a different gender to that of What About Eric? creates immediate differences and Diffuse's musical approach is admirably distinct.
The first point most may ponder on is whether the two songs should be taken as a linked pair given their titles (answer: I don't know) so potentially there may be conceptual depths to unpack, which is half the delight of new music.
"Slide" is an admirably woozy track while its partner offers a contrasting snap, so we're thankfully not talking a band whose songs sound the same. The mystery one hopes for in shoegaze is present through elliptic vocals and dense arrangements/production but in "Tackle" especially we find traces of baggy dance trance… which adds to its charm.
I hope you enjoy both the gig and the single: we can look forwards to more from Diffuse & the Underbelly label I would like to think. Let's wish them luck.
