Mazes are releasing an EP titled Better Ghosts through Fat Cat
Records this month, it's the first sign of a post-sophomore album blues; since Ores
and Minerals was released last February. Following on from this math
rock / krautrock style, Mazes go on to deliver even more repetitious recordings.
They're one of London's most prominent krautrock makers, who associate with
noise pop / rock. A Thousand Heyes introduced a completely different Mazes
than what we hear today. They originally started as a power trio with a need for
distortion and effects, this has since changed. They're less calm, less tuned
in to fuzz, but more determined to create songs with distinct clarity.
Some may have thought I was being harsh to Mazes in my Ores and Minerals
review back in February. It was given a modest 5.6, which is an accurate
representation of their follow-up. Since February, Ores and Minerals
hasn't resurfaced on my music library, but I returned to pass judgement as they
release "Heyfever Wristband". Most of it still sounds average on the
ears, with a few charmers, but mostly all lacking an ingredient of effect. It's
something Mazes will need to figure out; otherwise "Hayfever Wristband"
and their upcoming EP Better Ghosts will be dismantled in a similar
fashion.
If anything, Mazes are taking their music a step in the right
direction with "Hayfever Wristband". They haven’t' returned to
distortion and layers of fuzz, it's still clear guitars and kraut accompanying
percussion like their Italian Beach Babes label mates VISION FORTUNE. Having
seen Mazes live and followed them since the early days, I'm sure they have a
lot of life left in them.
~Eddie Gibson
