Irish duo Search Results share that they like a sense of mystery in their music, over-explaining lyrics is not their style and they enjoy learning about the listeners interpretation of their music. Bearing this in mind their second album Go Mutant, set for release on Friday 23 May, contains a number of intriguing song titles, before a note is even heard! ‘Nellypot’ and ‘Wrinkle’ are particularly enticing. In terms of songwriting, Fionn Brennan and Jack Condon are equally comfortable with not knowing where each other’s songs emerge from. Exploring the possibilities of the voice is also important, as Brennan explains:
“Around the time songs for LP2 started forming, I attended a course run by the Roy Harte Theatre whose work is centred around voice. This opened me up to writing more demanding vocal parts for the second record. Something to break down some shyness that I had fallen into maybe.”
Go Mutant contains 11 tracks clocking in at just under 35 minutes. It takes us hither and thither from the twitchy, anxious, slightly doom laden opening of ‘I Was A Teenage Girlfriend’ to the combined vocal and guitar layers of ‘Be Laurel’, which seem to dance together as one. Across the album there is a playfulness, a freedom if you will. The duo do not confine themselves to one genre but explore a range of soundscapes, the instrumentation showing such variety. The cowbell on ‘Carricks’ is crisp and light whereas the static fuelled guitar on highlight ‘Too Much Time’ adds an edge to this song which rattles along at pace.
The aforementioned ‘Nellypot’ is a indie guitar gem, its off kilter beats and lightness of touch creating a crystal clear backdrop for the vocal. ‘Mountaintop’ also has a focus on guitars but in contrast here the vocal is slightly muffled, as if emphasising the instruments. The gently crashing cymbals drive the track towards its conclusion, and then comically the guitar sees out the last few seconds, as if getting in the last word.
The variety on this EP is impressive. ‘Steeplejacks’ is its own thing with the plinking, plucking, shuffling guitar accompanied by a constant drumbeat. The vocal is distorted in places, experimental in others whereas‘Wrinkle’ increases the noise, slightly chaotic in parts, jumping around.
‘I Come Out At Night’ is the longest track on the album at almost 4 and a half minutes. Is that an echoey “sorry” at the beginning! The electric guitar is given its moment in the sun in parts and the overlapping vocals layer over each other, as if creating a connection. The outro is a wonderful cacophony of sounds, as if the instruments have been set free to run around with glee.
Search Results follow up their debut album 2023’s Information Blip with the unpredictable and unexpected Go Mutant, the title being the clue to what is contained within. No rules have been followed here and the self expression is to be applauded.
For more information on Search Results please check their instagram and bandcamp.
