Basement - Colourmeinkindness (2012)

Unfiltered and raw, Basement's colourmeinkindness, cuts with the emotional honesty of a personal diary backed with a flawlessly represtative soundtrack. The young UK band's sophomore LP is also their swan song - Basement has announced an indefinite hiatus following record release shows this winter - and their record burns with the cathartic, confessional urgency of leaving it all on this one last document.

The band meanders through a perfect blend of Knapsack-esque midwestern emo and overblown 90s grunge a la Nirvana and Sunny Day Real Estate. Following up 2011's acclaimed debut I Wish I Could Stay Here, the band delve further into the Seattle sound with incredible dynamic control. Crashing drums and raging distortion give way to silky, distant vocal melodies and shimmering guitars. Vocalist Andrew Fisher's direct lyrics and airy, long-drawn delivery lend the music a wondrous quality of self-discovery - rarely does a band carve such a unique sonic footprint in such a short period of time. colourmeinkindness carries with it an awareness of time and place. Musically, lyrically, aesthetically, visually - Basement perfectly call on the sounds of their contemporaries and influences to meld an achingly honest and beautifully timeless record, one that will live on long after the feedback has faded and the amps are on standby.