Jesse the Tree & Slitty Wrists – Asthma EP
Jesse the Tree & Slitty Wrists - Asthma EP
Release Date: Out Now
This is a collaboration between
two socially and environmentally conscious artists and it is as brutal and direct
as it is infectious. With seven tracks, however, this dances on the razor wire
between EP and mini-album but I’ll allow it because the quality is so damn
high. ‘Mother Earth’ is the opening track and once the slightly trippy opening
of spoken word over the top of melancholy guitar notes gives way, we hear
Slitty Wrists break in to full, angry flow at those destroying the planet; “These
people brought damage and ruined the planet, these people got damage”.
‘Slow’ is up next, opening with
bird song and chilled guitar loops as the flow goes “some people like it fast,
I like it slow, I wish the whole world would just stop for a mo-ment” and you’re
immediately drawn in to an Arrested Development world. The father of L.S.D. is
remembered on ‘Albert Hoffman’ with a woozy “how long does this shit take to
kick in? I think I’m starting to feel it….oooooh man” followed by a chilled,
low-lit, late night cut that makes you just sink in to your chair while your head
falls back involuntarily. ‘Lullaby’ keeps the chilled vibe going with a great
drum and bass combination creating a hip-hop groove before ‘B.F.G.’ blends
trip-hop and soul like Portishead in their prime but without the sinister
undertones.
On ‘Naomi’s Interlude’ we are
treated to a stop-you-in-your-tracks spoken word piece from Noami Gutierrez
giving us a 107 second tour of what it’s like to be addicted and in fear of
your life. It’s stark and powerful but the delivery without any backing and in
such a deadpan style is intoxicating and hugely gripping. The EP closes out on ‘G.L.O.W.’
which is the closest thing you’ll get to a party anthem on this collection but
it’s still well worth listening to the words. This is what people should be
doing with music, taking on the big issues, vocalising pain and holding the
world to account. The fact that it is done with such a smooth flow and chilled
vibes is just huge credit to these two guys.
More information: http://www.facebook.com/SlittyWrists