From atmospheric slow-burning precision to powerful bursts of rock-forward emotion, the Tether EP is a firm success from Reaffinity. The Pittsburgh-based project of multi-instrumentalist Chris Diana stirs with a sound whose industrial, alternative, and grunge inclinations recall acts like Placebo and Matthew Good Band.
The EP’s fantastic title track captures the project’s knack for stirring tonal evolution, particularly in expanding from a gritty industrial rock darkness into a soaring vocal emotion with reflective qualities. Apologetic lyrics and distorted guitar snarls build in gradual vigor, culminating in an impassioned vocal rise just prior to the one-minute turn. “It’s all the way you let it go,” the vocals let out, aesthetically reminiscent of Placebo.
Another highlight, “Closest Town” rides on a dreamy guitar crawl and understated vocals, crafting a sound more fit for nocturnal contemplation. “Always on the run,” the vocals lament, furthering the on-the-road, night-driving feeling. A rock-forward eruption at the two-minute mark invigorates, maintaining the track’s compelling, dramatic composure with a burst of emotion.
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“Tether” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of August 2023’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
