Creating a way of thriller is likely one of the oldest methods within the music enterprise. Daft Punk, SBTRKT and, extra just lately, Two Shell – acts recognized for masking their faces and holding followers guessing – are all examples of it working efficiently. It has actually helped create buzz round Glass Beams, a psychedelic trio from Melbourne, Australia, who play in ornate gold masks. Nobody knew who they have been till late final 12 months, when founding member Rajan Silva put his identify to the venture in an interview in Rolling Stone India. Nonetheless, they continue to be elusive, and the opposite members have up to now not been recognized.
The group started throughout lockdown and launched their debut EP, Mirage, in 2021, described as “a love letter” to Rajan’s Indian heritage. New five-track EP Mahal is a continuation of this fashion, which lilts alongside fantastically. With no apparent lyrics or samples, simply textural sounds, the result’s experimental, hypnotic and jam-based, melding the melodic tinge of conventional Indian music with Aussie surf rock. The title observe is a giant tune with a memorable guitar line. Orb is funkier, beginning off laid-back earlier than snowballing into an more and more propulsive rhythm.
With just a few tracks to their identify, Glass Beams have already got sold-out exhibits, a quickly rising social media following and 1.1 million month-to-month Spotify listeners. With music this good, anonymity is simply part of the attraction.
Mahal is out now on Ninja Tune. Glass Beams play EartH, London N16, on 6 and seven April
