REVIEW: 'Graceless' by Gefahrgeist
Gefahrgeist are a brand new electronic pop duo based in Edinburgh, combining the pedigree talents of Fiona Liddell & Niall Rae. At the end of October this year, they stunned us all with their debut single, ‘Graceless’.
Both coming from musical backgrounds, Fiona and Niall already boast a wealth of experience and influences. Fiona; being a singer-songwriter, vocalist, and violinist originally from Glasgow, tells us most of her influences growing up were fellow female singer-songwriters - Aimee Mann and Mary Chapin Carpenter to name a few. This definitely comes across in her writing, as she is no stranger to leading multiple projects and collaborations with her powerful, dynamic melodies and lyrics. Pair this with Niall (pronounced Neel), a bassist and producer from Aberdeenshire with an abundance of musical diversity and a penchant for rock, electronic and hip-hop, and you can see how tightly Gefahrgeist mesh together as one experimental, melodic unit.
‘Graceless’ begins with an ethereal soundscape: Airy synths, Fiona’s lush vocal harmonies, and a fluttering harp (provided by Esther Swift of Twelfth Day). It’s there we are first introduced to Gefahrgeist’s lyricism. Fiona’s lyrics land like silk with the invitation for a much deeper, sometimes darker interpretation. Within the first 30 seconds, it’s already a song that suggests a second listen - there’s just that much going on.
“Vigorous hearts full of blood and tar
Loop an endless start to forget who they are”
Niall’s production hits you like a buttery punch; smooth yet forceful. His arrangement allows him to showcase his virtuosity on bass guitar without ever drawing attention away from the bigger picture, the markings of a true professional.
‘Graceless’ grows with each stride, and by the end we are enveloped in a wall of synths and vocals, which are promptly tossed aside with a snappy and proud ending before we even know what hit us, or how we can get more.
Gefahrgeist have re-sculpted the landscape of what electro-pop can be, and we look forward to seeing them build on an incredibly strong foundation.
For those wanting more, you’re in luck. Gefahrgeist recently announced their second single, ‘Nukular’, will be released on January 29th, and is available for pre- save here.
Support Gefahrgeist here:
- ‘Graceless’ was written and performed by Fiona Liddell. It was arranged and produced by Niall Rae. It features harp from talented Edinburgh musician Esther Swift (Twelfth Day) and was mastered by Phil McBride (Midi Paul). The single’s artwork/video were created by Tyler Andrew Mortimer of Blank Page Digital Art.