Formed
by Frankie Binns, Theresa ‘TC’ Connelly
and Chris Cousin, Chin Chin began as an acoustic/folk
project, and originally spent the best part of their
time playing live, but the addition of electronics rapidly
opened new horizons for the trio to explore, resulting
in an EP, 2 Ft. Deep Ponds, released at the
end of last year on Deep Water.
Although the blend of folk and electronica favoured
by the band had got them associated with the likes of
Four Tet and Matthew
Herbert, Chin Chin’s music in more straightforward
and instantly accessible than that of the band’s
illustrious references. Shallow Dive is nevertheless
an interesting stylistic exercise and offers some beautiful
moments. Although almost entirely instrumental, this
album is given a slight pop tone when Connelly provides
vocals on the delicate Can’t Walk No More.
The rest of the album evolves between laidback electronic
structures and detailed acoustic formations, providing
effective backdrops for subtle melodies to develop.
Chin Chin manage to perfectly integrate the two distinct
settings, often blurring the boundaries between real
and artificial instrumentation to better emphasise the
contemplative nature of their music.
Shallow Dive opens with Reconcile,
which illustrates pretty well what Chin Chin have to
offer here. Using a dub-infused bass line and a light
breakbeat pattern as their starting point, the band
progressively introduce more layers to define the structure
of the composition, notably relying on a crystalline
piano to underpin its many shades. Ranging from evocative
pastoral moments (Shallow Dive, Monty,
Can’t Walk No More), to drum’n’bass-flavoured
escapades (Pullover) and chaotic constructions
(Poke Out Palmer), Chin Chin arrange electronic
and acoustic textures with great care and often create
here some sumptuous moments. The title track, Keep
Me On Edge or Last Piano all evolve from
structures similar to Reconcile, but the band
apply different musical tricks to set each track on
its own course. While they create some intricate ambient
constructions on Monty, Belle Forte
or Last Piano, Chin Chin also demonstrate an
appetite for more upbeat compositions, as expressed
on Pullover, Can’t Walk No More
or Chinboe.
While Shallow Dive doesn’t break any
new ground, the approach adopted by Chin Chin makes
this a rather clever piece of work. Here, Binns, Connelly
and Cousin collect together various moods and influences
and develop them in very consistent fashion, ensuring
there is a constant flow of energy running through the
record.
4.1/5 |
