Barely six months after April's excellent Outer Heaven LP, Toronto post-punk outfit
Greys deliver Warm Shadow, their second album of 2016. Less overtly intense than its predecessor, Warm Shadow is an overall subtler beast full of expansive sonic experimentations and dark corners. While it carries forward the coarse tonal patina of its predecessor, it also acts as a shadowy companion piece, rounding out an impressive year for the four-piece. That's not to say there's nothing of Outer Heaven's aggressive, politically charged punk amid these ten new tracks. According to frontman
Shehzaad Jiwani, clamorous lead single "Fresh Hell" was inspired by prominent CBC radio broadcaster Jian Ghomeshi's acquittal of rape charges and by the death of substance-abusing Toronto mayor Rob Ford, another controversial Canadian who received plenty of public leeway in spite of a seemingly corrupt image. As on previous releases,
Greys aren't afraid take a hard line and call bullshit where they see it. Front-loaded with the more structured material, Warm Shadow's quieter second half consists of several instrumental works, the third of which, "Outer Heaven," quavers ambiently from some distant realm before devolving into languid choral samples that are quite effective. "Space Mountain," a dreamy seven-minute late-album highlight, is easily one of the most pleasing melodies the group has ever put to tape. "I'd Hate to Be an Actress," another pleasantly mellow, drum-less offering, sets up "Trish K," yet another instrumental cut, though one that relies less on ethereal wandering and more on spidery midtempo jamming. As a whole, Warm Shadow isn't nearly as engaging as
Greys' last outing, but patient listening will reveal plenty of nuanced craft. ~ Timothy Monger