You know those quiet winter days when the clouds set in and pummel down rain from the heavens; while all you really want to do is float away? Maybe that’s just me. Often to truly drift off into a tranquil state, some ambient or abstract substances sound textures can go a long way; think along the lines of Nicolas Jaar or Radiohead… or how about Melbourne trio I’lls?
Wonder trio I’lls push minimalism to its limits on their latest EP Can I Go With You To Go Back To My Country.
After meeting each other in a Jazz class in 2011, Dan Rutman (guitar), Hamish Mitchell (synth and keys) and Simon Lam (drums, vocals) each came together through a shared connection with electronic soundscapes. Through this love of electronic experimentation I’lls was born. After just playing Splendour In The Grass, and four releases already under their belt, their latest forthcoming EP Can I Go With You To Go Back To My Country has only given the boys more positive attention in the limelight.
After what personally felt to be an initial pursuit for personality and direction on the first few releases, their latest effort has to be their most mature and coherent release to date. They really have had a breakthrough toward stylistic direction, particularly through their noticeable new found comfort in minimalism.
Can I Go With You To Go Back To My Country instantly throws the listener into a lucid pool of slow breathing ambient textures in the opening track Aves. Reminiscent of a stripped down Radiohead (In Rainbows, King of Limbs), I’lls quickly set the tone for what’s to come for the rest of the EP. By the second track A/B/A you quickly become aware of the particular atmosphere which is maintained throughout the entire EP, toning back on any radical experimentation. However the fact that the EP doesn’t carry any drastic changes isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It achieves its beauty through its minimalistic approach to electronic flourishes along with clever melodic parts which sit transparently over the instrumentation, fashioning a seamless fluidity throughout.
Let Me Just Have One is the initial signle from the EP, which is also coupled with a pretty neat video clip I suggest you check out. The track itself bears arguably one of the most infectious melodies of all six tracks, whilst simultaneously sporting one of the most bare boned soundscapes. Let Me Just Have One may be a crowd favourite for some; however Keep personally tops the rest. Everything from its luminous melody, to its expansive instrumentation, Keep seems to further boast a feeling of progression toward maturity for I’lls. And may I add that the Radiohead In Rainbows vibe is obviously apparent throughout this track in particular.
All in all Can I Go With You To Go Back To My Country dished up a worthy step in the right direction for I’lls, highlighting a new found ripeness towards a further minimalistic approach. Nevertheless I’d be lying if I were to say my fingers aren’t crossed as I longingly hope that I’lls find some further room to enter into realms of broader experimentation, whilst still retaining their minimalistic groundings.
The future certainly seems bright for this young group, and my eyes will most definitely remain peeled. Yours should be too.
