Gefahrgeist – Graceless // Single Review

Gefahrgeist are a new electronic duo, who sprang onto the Scottish music scene with debut single ‘Graceless’ at the end of October. The song is a blend of chilled electronica and powerful vocals, with some jazzy musicianship on display from both vocalist/songwriter Fiona Liddell and arranger/producer Niall Rae. The track also boasts a session appearance from harpist Esther Swift of Twelfth Day and was mastered by Phil McBride, who has been moonlighting on the Edinburgh music scene as MIDI Paul.

The track opens with some haunting background vocals and some dramatic harp glissandi. The lead vocal enters shortly after these opening phrases with a melody which will become distinctive moving further into the song. On the second round of lead vocals, the electronic body of the track fully kicks in, distinguished by its syncopated electric piano riff and sparse bass figures.

After an instrumental passage, the second verse uses that familiar melody in the lead vocal, the arrangement allowing for a gradual build, as further synth layers are added. There are some jazzy bass aberrations here, moving on from the more static nature of playing in the previous verse. The chorus follows the same melodic shape, with backing vocals echoing this. Liddell sings, “Memory fades on that graceless sky but that melody I will never escape” her voice a faint whiff of nostalgia among the serenity of the music. The chorus feel of this section continues with a more layered second repetition, the lyrics voicing a more mournful tone, “Keeping the height of a graceless sky is a memory and it moves us apart”.

The music breaks down into an airier section, consisting of jazzy melodic figures on the electric piano, more adventurous harp playing and further ambience provided by some reverb heavy background vocals. As Liddell’s vocal bursts into an ascending jazzy run, densely layered non-lyrical vocals fill the stereo spectrum, there to stay for the remainder of the song. The beat becomes stronger with the elevation of the percussion to a full kit. The lead vocal returns with its final lyrical musings “Deep in the heart of the graceless sky is a memory and it moves us apart, down in this heart is a melody, it won’t sing for you, it won’t sing for me”, which morosely segues into the final build of layered vocals which shine through at the end of the track.

This is an impactful debut effort from the duo and whilst the melody does not vary too much throughout, the developmental style of arrangement allows for different perspectives to be gained. With more in the works, the pair have used this first opportunity to establish a distinctive style and hit us with something immediate and powerful. Hopefully the momentum can take them on a vibrant journey.