Priestgate - Eyes Closed For The Winter EP (2022) Hi-Res

Yorkshire’s indie pop finest Priestgate have finally released their debut EP. Eyes Closed For The Winter is a dreamy, glittering gothic treasure, melding small-town angst with an undercurrent of euphoria. Released on Lucky Number—which has signed the likes of HMLTD and Walt Disco—it confirms the band are on their way to perfecting their unique blend of dream pop and post-punk. Having toured with artists such as Dream Wife and The Ninth Wave, they’ve proved themselves to be an exciting live fit—and this EP is just another arrow pointing to their success.
Opening track ‘Bedtime Story’—previously released as a single—pairs a jangling, '80s-adjacent riff with Rob Schofield’s forlorn vocal before bursting into an anthemic and exhilarating chorus. It’s a forceful kick-off, demanding attention in its distortion and the very relatable, made-to-be-yelled lyrics: “All I really wanna do is sleep!”. ‘Eyes Closed For The Winter’, another single, is a slice of goth-pop that’s been dipped in sugar. It’s tender and melancholy and brimming with youthfulness. Special attention has been paid to each sonic element, with the overall result being an effortless musical feat. Each musician twinkles in their respective roles within the group, creating a sound that is original and timeless—and perfect to bop about to.

The second half of the EP consists of two unreleased songs—‘Credits’ and ‘By The Door’—iwhich are just as impressive as the ones we already know. Transforming small town monotony into sonic magic, there’s an impression of enchantment and otherworldliness to ‘Credits’. Whimsical and wistful, it appears Priestgate have beaten the boredom of sleepy small-town life and mastered the making of your own fun with their sound though the recurring themes of existential apprehension and the passage of time still linger in their lyrics.

The closing track, ‘By The Door’ embodies this apprehension with extra spookiness. Reminiscent of The Cure’s ‘A Forest’, it’s powered by eerie synths and harrowing vocals, with Bridie Stagg’s steady, chugging drums making for an atmospheric and intense composition. Secretive, sordid and suspicious, ‘By The Door’ is an inspired reproduction of the best goth music, without sounding like a nostalgic rip-off: there’s a modern, fanciful twist to it. With spiralling sounds that advance and expand before disintegrating into an ominous quiet, Priestgate close their debut with an air of rightfully-earned confidence.

It’s not easy to succeed in making music that is equal parts gloomy and yet so fun that it’s impossible not to to dance to - but they’ve smashed it. Innovative and intriguing, this is a stellar debut, where Priestgate have sealed their deserved place in any Ones to Watch lists.