GLASGOW’S WATER MACHINE IMPRESS WITH GENRE FUSING DEBUT ALBUM ‘GOD PARK’
Water Machine (credit Brian Sweeney)
Sometimes, when you least expect to be blown away by a band, is when you are really floored. With Glasgow’s Water Machine, that’s exactly where I found myself last month when I stumbled across them in the sweaty basement bar of Glasgow’s Nice’n’Sleazy’s, as part of the city’s Stag and Dagger Festival. As an all dayer, the event was a bit of a damp squib, yet Water Machine’s set left a lasting impression.
Slip forward to June 20th, and Water Machine have dropped their awaited debut album God Park, which acts as both an introduction and extension of their talents.
Opening with ‘Clouds’, Water Machine play it safe, not doing much to inspire the listener but capturing grasp all the same. The song sets a mellow tone, inviting the audience to settle into its atmosphere, before hitting you straight in the face in the next track, ‘Thunder’. Effortlessly building upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, ‘Thunder’ transcends seamlessly, conjuring up imagery and energy as its title suggests. Coming in at just 1 minute and 8 seconds, the progression from one track to the next feels organic, as if the songs are part of a larger narrative, drawing listeners deeper into the sonic landscape that Water Machine have crafted.
The bite keeps going with ‘Hot Real Estate’, channelling the band’s punk influences. Gradually escalating in intensity, particularly with the repeated phrase “It’s getting hotter”, adds a sense of urgency and excitement which I love. However, despite this, the track doesn’t really hit the climax that it was capable of.
The band’s punk roots are never far felt throughout the record, yet they manage to mix things up enough that each track continues to reveal surprises.
‘River’ retains the high energy but feeds a funky bassline woven with a fragmented, warped melody. A captivating contrast that evokes a vintage sense of dissonance, reminiscent of sounds often associated with bands like The Beach Boys. ‘Dog Park’ veers more on the the indie grunge style with a notes of Brit-pop at times. Then for a complete change of pace comes ‘Jimmy’s Waltz’ which pulls more folk/trad influences, delivering something dreamy and baroque in style, vocally akin to the Velvet Underground’s Nico.
The second half of Water Machine‘s God Park feels a bit like stepping back into an episode of Top of the Tops, circa 1986. Self Titled ‘Water Machine’ and earlier single, ‘Tiffany’, bring synth heavy, retro pop melodies alongside their more established punk sensibilities. This dynamic comes to create that same party atmosphere that I encountered down in Nice’n’Sleazy’s sweaty basement last month, where I first encountered Water Machine, complete in party hat attire.
The 80’s influence runs deep within Water Machine who credit Glasgow’s rich musical history as a core influence in their sound. Paying homage Grant McPhee’s Teenage Superstars documentary, which features the rise of Glasgow bands like Teenage Fanclub, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Primal Scream, the band boast that “Glasgow has a distinctive sound and energy that we definitely feel a part of and inspired by”.
‘Junction’ brings another change of dynamic in the overall flow of the album, bringing it back to something a bit more rowdy. However, it’s ‘I Quit’ that truly shines as one of the standout moments of God Park. While it maintains the same energetic vibe as ‘Junction’, it surpasses its predecessor by infusing a greater level of intrigue, delivering a potent mix of attitude and passion.
‘Park Highs’ gives heavy Blondie vibes. Its captivating violin harmonies seamlessly blend with the rhythmic clinks of the cowbell. One of my favourite things about this album is the prominent use of cowbell, which seems to feature in nearly every track. A distinctive retro element which not only adds a unique flavour but unifies Water Machine’s cohesive and unique overall sound. As the album reaches its conclusion, ‘Park Highs’ serves as a refreshing and joyous moment before the album closes with the delightful ‘Hando’. With it’s Western country-esque twang and repetitive verses, ‘Hando’ offers a comforting familiarity, all until it bursts into a frantic ska induced punk party, ending God Park in style.
Water Machine‘s debut is a very strong offering, and one which deserves to propel the band into much bigger things. Their unique sound and energetic performances are sure to capture the attention of audiences, making them a band to keep an eye on as they continue to grow within the vibrant Glasgow music community. As Henry Rollins has already proclaimed, “Water Machine is a very cool band” – and that is as good an endorsement as any.
