The Glasgow PodcART

There have been many bands over the course of the last 9 months or so that I have liked, however there are a handful that have really stood out and with hand on heart I can say I love them. Ex Libras are a band I simply adore.

I will set the scene of my writing by saying that their debut single ‘Radar’ is playing in the background. The song has just reached its climax point and the shivers have travelled from my legs to my shoulders, every time I hear this song I actually find it hard to describe my emotion.

Ex Libras hail from London and it staggers me that this 3-piece have not been snapped up and showcased to the world. Their time has come now with fluttering of press and word of mouth. We at Glasgow PodcART have to thank A Badge Of Friendship for introducing us to one of the finest bands we have come across this year and another well deserved Artist Of The Week.

Ex Libras music creates varying stages of emotional undress. Their debut album ‘Suite(s)’ which is due to be released 30^th November contains songs of epic proportions. Each track almost illustrates a different life state from the hungover to the euphoric. ‘Radar’ begins with an almost synthetically generated drum beat which in itself shows you how talented drummer Ross Kenning is. This is immersed in a Sunday-like melodic dream coat of earnest vocals and syncopated piano passages. Then you are taken up the rollercoaster brackets, tension is created with an anxious guitar whilst crashing cymbals do their best to fight explosions. All of a sudden you are hit right in your gut; a cannonade of all instruments is fired into your belly, your heart and your ears. This is by far one of the most frenzied and exhilarating crescendos I have heard in a song for a very long time. In music you cherish the way that sounds make you feel, if I could repeat this for hours at a time then I would.

Another album track that illuminates like moon-filled skies is ‘Audio Video Disco’; it is a score of magnificence. That is the striking things about Ex Libras they know how to create a song that shifts musically and emotionally in a way that dictates your travelling thoughts. ‘Audio Video Disco’ in particular has moments that you feel like you are being vacuumed between mighty piano chords and ghostly vocals. It is like being blasted round space with electronic gales as your vehicle.

Ex Libras are one of my tips for 2010. They have created an album of songs that not only complement each other but alone could compete against any established and well respected artist. Ex Libras are a rare breed of talent and as the new year approaches those initial shivers I have felt for them will turn into full body jolts of sheer excitement.

Halina Rifai

For more information on Ex-Libras please visit their Myspace and Website. The single ‘Radar’ is available and their debut album ‘Suite(s)’ will be released 30th November.

Ex Libras – RADAR from Ex Libras on Vimeo.