The Vryll Society - Course Of The Satellite (2018)

Liverpool’s The Vryll Society have played the long game. In 2015 they released their debut single Deep Blue Skies on the Deltasonic label (run by the late Alan Wills who discovered the Coral). They have built up a strong and loyal fanbase having toured with the Blossoms, The Coral and The Kooks.

They’ve released some critically acclaimed singles over the last few years. Last August they previewed the album by releasing Shadow of a Wave to much approval. They have also received much support from BBC Introducing at their SXSW showcase and played Glastonbury and Reading amongst others. Hardly surprising their album has been greatly anticipated. The album was produced over several months at the Parr Street Studios where bands like Elbow, The Zutons, Black Sabbath and The Doves have recorded.

Without further ado, first track Course of the Satellite fades in with its orbiting space connotations. It has a kind of old-fashioned keyboard sound that works. This has a mellow, surreal quality with liquid guitar, angelic vocals and haunting lyrics “You’ve got to learn to be alone, no-one will stay forever”. It reminds me of the band Air and I like the way it finishes with a drum beat and piano. A Perfect Rhythm has a slightly Oriental sound to it. It’s swirly with an insistent drum beat that conjures up a languorous summer afternoon with dizzying pop melodies and Michael Ellis’ ethereal vocals. Andrei Rublev was released as a single earlier this year and was inspired by Andre Tarkovsky’s 1996 classic arthouse film. With its psychedelic guitars and punchy drums, this is far-out and phantasmagoric!

The Tears We Cry has a weaving gentle ambience with a slightly Doors-like ending whilst Glows and Spheres is all dreamy 60s feel. When The Air Is Hot is enchanting with a kaleidoscopic wall of sound that I feel totally immersed in. You feel the whole album has been crafted with great detail. Light At the End of the World, their latest offering, is a blissed out fantasy with groovy sound realms. Soft Glue is an eloquent ode with juddery reverbs. Shadow of a Wave was the first release off the album with a mixture of 80s sounds intertwined delicately with again with a 60s sound whilst Inner Life is like a funky disco with touches of Michael Jackson’s Thriller in it!

There are fascinating, layers of melodies on here that flow effortlessly. The Vryll Society have their own take on krautrock and evocative, dreamlike vibes. Course of the Satellite contains authentic magical songs that are both poetic and mesmerising. An impressive first album that was worth the wait.