iiis (pronounced ‘eyes) are an Oxford-based 3-piece and, as I have often said in reviews, the triangle is a strong shape for bands. There’s nowhere to hide with only three instruments; it makes for invention and means that everyone pays attention when weaving each part into a whole. iiis do this well and there is a quiet tension in the two tracks that make up this double-A sided single of ‘Chairs’ and ‘Arms’.
‘Chairs’ floats in on some electronic grit and a guitar line that holds the song together. Helen Pearson’s voice is a cool breeze and passed the half-way point folk-like harmonies swoon in with Helen and Paul Allen’s voices melding together perfectly. Hannah Bruce’s bass line is understated but take it away and the song would gently float away.
‘Arms’ is a hypnotic swirl dominated by the dual vocals that move from unison to harmony with grace as the tune seems to be beckoning the listener deep into the woods. As with ‘Chairs’ the main guitar line sits perfectly in the middle of the song as part-chord, part-riff (reminding me of the sensitivity of The Doors’ Robby Krieger) and there are also some lush juddering reverse guitar effects. The bass line is a delight as it slowly moves from low roots to enchanting higher notes that act as a counterpoint to the guitar and vocals.
This is not music that blazes like a roaring fire, it’s more like the glowing embers that pulsate while radiating warmth. The iiis have evolved from the more shoegaze Slow Riot EP and these two tracks demonstrate beautiful restraint and a compelling poetic tunefulness.
iiis are: Helen Pearson, drums & vocals, Hannah Bruce, bass, Paul Allen, guitars & vocals and they describe themselves as “a diverse band in many forms; age, sexuality, gender, neurotypes and the music is both everything and nothing to do with this. Songs form from parents, politics, loss, inaction, anxiety and the things we wish we could’ve said and the things we wish we could scream”
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Review by Paul F Cook
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