Pinkshinyultrablast are finally receiving the attention and acclaim that has alluded them for most of this decade. The Saint Petersburg-based are one of the bands who kept shoegaze and dreamgaze alive, as the original trailblazers – Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, Ride – took hiatuses of different lengths. With the genre that just won’t die experiencing a resurrection, Lyubov (vocals), Rustam (synths/electronics), and Roman (guitars) have gathered a legion of fans from across the globe. Their army should only grow with the release of their third album, Miserable Miracles, which is the trio’s most expansive output to date.
Miserable Miracles is more than just a record. It is an experience that features three destinations (or layers if you will). The first is the dance floors of Earth, where Pinkshinyultrablast showcase a different side of their artistry. The intoxicating opener “Dance A.M.” buzzes with bubbly synths and percolating beats with Lyubov’s siren-like vocals floating effortlessly through the haze. On “Eray”, the threesome head back in time and the age of early ’80s new-wave disco. It’s a stunning and catchy number that is reminiscent of M83’s early work with splashes of Cocteau Twins. A psychedelic-disco vibe, meanwhile, percolates on fantasy-like “In The Hanging Gardens”. Think Tim Burton’s imagination put to music, but even more beautiful than what the acclaimed filmmaker could ever create.
The next stop is the heavens. The groovy and relaxing “Triangles”, which bops with subdued beats and rhythms, is the soundtrack to the journey through the clouds. Upon arrival, the soft notes of “Blue Hour” welcome us. As the gates open, the place’s centerpiece greets us in the form of the gorgeous “Find Your Saint”. Like observing the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci and Claude Monet, the song is simply breathtaking and the band’s grandest beauty is revealed.
A Pinkshinyultrablast album wouldn’t be complete without a trip through the cosmos. The striking instrumental “Earth and Elsewhere” possesses a Public Service Broadcasting tone. The arrangements are simply, but the alluring power of each extended note and sparkling riff creates a relaxing and transfixing atmosphere. However, this is just the beginning, and the race through space arrives in the form of “Looming”. Here the band masterfully forge their dynamic shoegaze with the more synth-heavy approach heard throughout the album. The result is a masterful piece of cosmic shoegaze. A song that wonderfully blends Explosions in the Sky with Slowdive and leaves you on a high. It leaves you wanting more from this gifted band that is about to reach the stratosphere themselves.
Miserable Miracles is out now via Club AC30. Order it here or check out the usual streaming sites.
The band is in the UK for the next 8 days, playing shows across the region. Tour dates and information are available here.
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