Aberdeen’s Chisel Chin are a closely knit group of musical friends who have been in bands with each other in different guises from a young age. They have been exploring and adapting their musical style over the years, with experimentation becoming an integral element of their approach, as well as developing a strong D.I.Y attitude. This single ‘Panorama’, for example, has been written, recorded and mixed at home by the band over 2020, and its accompanying music video is also a home-made effort. The song on the surface appears minimalist but reveals new elements on each repeated listen. Its sound takes notable influence from Krautrock bands like Can and Neu! as well as that of psychedelic rock.
The hypnotic groove, a testament to these influences, is apparent from the get go. Starting with guitar, bass and drums, the song introduces multiple elements as it progresses. The lead vocal has a slap back delay, giving it that distinct 70’s/80’s sound. The music remains sparse for the most part, becoming denser in the chorus, as the vocal commands “Take a panorama” and, further into the song, keyboard elements, both synthesiser and organ, give the track a thicker, more psychedelic texture.
Coming to the end of the song, the music and vocal are accompanied by a distant wind sound effect, blowing eerily behind the familiar guitar riff and harking of “Take a Panorama”. The song ends abruptly on a snare hit, providing a snappy resolution for an experimental, yet incredibly catchy piece of music. The band speak of their intentions with the track, “Panorama is a song which shows what we’re all about as a band. It is a good representation of our sound and was the perfect track to put out as our first single with its catchy hook and hypnotic groove.” And I believe that they are completely on the ball with this creative decision. The song showcases their paradoxical marriage of the minimalist and complex and packages their alternative sound in a popular format.
The single artwork is similarly intriguing. Designed by Bronwyn Murray, it is, despite its monochrome appearance, utterly in tune with the band’s psychedelic vision with its use of shape and almost vibrating outlines. The band also enlisted the help of Ed Woods for the mastering of the track. ‘Panorama’ is intended as the first in a run of singles that the band will be releasing from now and into the start of next year. I can see a lot of potential for the band to expand on the ideas concisely expressed in this insatiably grooving debut.
‘Panorama’ is available to download and stream now.
Chisel Chin online:
Spotify
– Sandy Power
Pictish Prism 