Album Review: The Bats - The Deep Set

Some bands change their sound like the planet changes seasons — whether through restlessness or to latch onto prevailing trends — whereas others choose to stay the course with their original style, dispatching new missives based on already familiar foundations.

Christchurch-bred purveyors of the fabled Dunedin Sound are firmly in the latter camp: now into their third decade with the original line-up, the four-piece have racked up nine albums characterised by chugging chords, jangly guitars and the charming, simplistic worldview of guitarist/vocalist Robert Scott (also bassist for Flying Nun staples The Clean). This shared experience has gifted the foursome a clear simpatico and inherent indie-pop smarts, and on The Deep Set Scott's songs prove as effortlessly dreamy as ever. His innate sense of melody extends to both the arrangements and his bittersweet vocal delivery, the tunes augmented by shimmering harmonies and classy string accompaniment, while guitarist Kaye Woodward's lead parts twist and meander, dripping with expression. The album opens with the melancholic Rooftops but quickly blossoms with the upbeat Looking For Sunshine and the luminous Rock And Pillars, while No Trace explores personal themes atop beautiful vocal melodies and strings carry the dreamy slice of nostalgia and longing that is lead single Antlers.

Towards the back end Shut Your Eyes is darker and more foreboding, The Bats proving once again that simple, well-executed ideas and arrangements are entirely capable of triggering complex responses.