GEMS look forward to debut album by looking back at their past with the epic "w/o u" [Premiere]

13 October 2015, 09:45 | Written by Charlotte Krol

(Tracks)

(GEMS)

Few bands nail the art of the chorus. Often the culmination of all musical components, choruses hardly need to ask for emotional surrender from the listener. Complete submission to their power should be effortless. Washington DC's GEMS are the masters of such craft.

A track that duly proves it is their latest cut "w/o u", which sees something of a return to the duo's 2013 epic dream-pop ditties "Ephemera" and "Medusa".

On "w/o u", the skittish, R&B-mottled characteristics of the pair's previous track "Soak" are set aside in favour of a punchy, typically existential-leaning power ballad. '80s guitars worm around Lindsay Pitts and Cliff Usher's lyrics of being trapped in love as breathy harmonies reach Gospel heights at the chorus. Unsurprisingly incredible songwriting.

"w /ou" features on Kill The One You Love, released on 30 October via Carpark. Pre-order from iTunes or Carpark and get an instanr download of "Living As A Ghost" and "Soak". Tour dates listed below.

October

13 - Seattle, WA - Barboza *
16 - Denver, CO - Lost Lake *
18 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall *
20 - Toronto, ON - The Hoxton *
21 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle *
22 - Boston, MA - Middle East *
23 - Washington, DC - U Street Music Hall *
26 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom *

* with Autre Ne Veut