Spaced Out
Zabus: Floodplain Canticles
(Saccharine Underground / January 10, 2025)
The mood is dark on Floodplain Canticles, the latest release by Washington's Avant-Garde Post-Punk project Zabus, with a few rays of hope here and there.
Sonically, psychedelia and darkly cinematic soundscapes merge to create an ominous mood in Sovereign. The music is synth-driven, with vocals that echo atmospherically over the instrumental backing.
With titles like Black Dog Narrows, Sacred Prostitution, and Tearful Symmetries, it's not hard to see where the release is heading mood-wise.
Singer Jeremy Moore's vocals could be described as a distorted version of Jim Morrison; the romantic nihilism likewise a 21st century burnout of The Doors - but slowed down to ambient tempo.
Sacred Prostitution is probably the most radio-friendly (or maybe radio-adjacent) tracks on the album. It's driven by a danceable rhythm, layered over with Moore's atmospheric voice, airy synths, and jangly guitar.
Golden Rot is a stand-out track, where the rhythm section drives underneath Moore singing. Orchestral-esque bits, with flute-like synth, pop in and out of the layers of sound.
Varpa Orðið is another interesting song. Syncopated rhythms cut across the long vocal lines, interspersed with spacey guitar riffs and electronic noise - it's a kinetic mix.
Zabus was formed in 2023 by multi instrumentalist Jeremy Moore, also a writer, founder and curator of Washington D.C. non-profit artist collective and label Saccharine Underground. SU has become known for its focus on dark ambient, avant-garde, experimental, gothic and psychedelic rock.
A floating collective of characters rather than an established band per se, settling with three members for this album.
Personnel: Jeremy Moore//voice, guitars, 6 string bass, strings/synthesis; B.B. Kille//guitars; Johnny Wielding//drums, 4 string bass; Akane Shimizu// strings and additional programming/synthesis
Stay In Touch:
- Official Website: www.zabus.bandcamp.com
- Twitter: @zabusmusic
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