Airiel

With all due respect to The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart and Ringo Deathstarr and others, the band that signaled the resurgence of shoegaze for me was Airiel. The Battle Of Sealand, the band’s debut full-length re-opened my ears to the vast soundscapes left most unheard for a decade. There were a lot of up-tempo tracks that, god help me, made me want to dance…mostly in the car, in front of perfect strangers. Kid Games, along with being a four song EP, is a return to the form of their four EP set, Winks & Kisses but informed with the advances in sound made on their full length. Principal songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, and only original member Jeremy Wrenn takes us on a brief but wonderful journey. The songs are wall-to-wall pensive beauty. “Funerals,” alternately hushes and soars all over a rich, almost orchestral layer. The music of “Flashlight Tag,” is every bit as playful as the title would suggest. The final song, “Daydreamer”, almost hits it too far on the nose. The style of shoegaze always invokes the feeling of a dream. The track itself, though, is the apex of the EP. It is wistful and busy, the hallmarks of the genre.

It had been a long five years, waiting for any release from Airiel, and this has not been a disappointment. Would a full-length be preferable? Yes, but in this case, quality trumps quantity. Kid Games may not break new ground but it is a pleasure. - The Big Takeover - David Musto

Airiel
Kid Games
In 1997, Jeremy Wrenn formed a two-man shoegaze project called Airiel. Fast forward to 2012 and the band is four members strong, has toured nationally and internationally, released two singles, five EP’s (including a box set), one full length album and tracks for multiple compilations.
Recorded and produced by the band itself, Airiel has just finished Kid Games, a brand new four track EP for Shelflife. Bringing in many of the elements that formed Airiel’s foundation, Andrew Marrah and Chase Johnson’s drum machines and synths make a larger presence. This produced a new sound that keeps the elements that make Airiel great; catchy melodies, lush guitars, danceable rhythms and lasting dreaminess. “Kid Games” also marks the return of guest vocalist Stella Tran, who’s first appearance was on “Firefly” from the Melted EP of the Winks & Kisses box set.
Kid Games is released May 1st on limited edition 12” vinyl and digital formats. *
Praise for Airiel
“...wall-to-wall pensive beauty”
— The Big Takeover
“Kid Games may be one of the most promising and pretty releases of 2012.”
— Half-Gifts
...”loaded to the brim with gorgeous swooning guitars and reverbed atmospherics.”
— Perfect Midnight World
“Walls of blistering guitars aided by dense production give the band an immense sound, but memorable melodies and soaring vocal harmonies ensure their songs are more than just thrilling guitar noise.”
— KEXP
“... a sonic spinning of cotton candy.”
— Pitchfork
“...feels simultaneously fresh while offering what seems like a gift bag of lost tracks by My Bloody Valentine, Ride and Pale Saints.”
— Magnet Magazine - Shelflife

Airiel continues to impress me with every release. This self-titled, self-released disc is amazingly well produced and the song writing of the band has gotten even better. There is more of a live feel on this disc and Jeremy Wrenn’s vocals have gotten better since the completion of their Winks and Kisses box set. Hailing from Chicago and now composed of Jeremy Wrenn, Cory Osborne, John Runnger, and Zeeshan Abbasi, Airiel has started to become a force in this generation of shoegaze aficionados.

This S/T work starts of with a re-recording of “500 Deep,” which was on the Dizzy EP. This version has a much more live feel and Wrenn’s vocals are much more confident than before. The drum work and bass work in the mix are stupendous and really bring the song alive. The guitars shimmer and float among the mid-tempo percussion. “Kiss Me Sadly” is a re-made version of “Kiss Me Softly,” which appeared on the Frosted EP. It begins with jangly ride and spacey, gorgeous guitar. The beat in this version is much more subdued and patient. Again, Wrenn’s vox are mature and full with a careful tempo. The guitars in this song are huge and really give it a blissed out feel. The band has definitely improved their ability in the realm of guitar tones and effects. The song plays out in a wall of sound and it’s quite the epic moment on the ep.

“World Cup” is the only completely new song on this disc. It has driving percussion, loud, aggressive walls of sound, and Wrenn’s vocals are added, but there are no lyrics. His vox really add a depth to the song amidst the soaring guitars. In the musical interlude, the guitars become more aggressive and loud with different effects that add much to the song. “Cinnamon” is a remake of a song from an out-of-print Christmas EP that Airiel put out in 2002. “Cinnamon” begins with fast, floor tom percussion and aggressive bass work. The guitars glitter and soar again. Wrenn’s and Abbassi’s guitar work is impressive and the wall of sound expansive.

This is a solid EP and will please every Airiel fan and all shoegaze fans will really dig this disc. Airiel is growing and maturing for the better. The only thing I ask is that they put out a nice, long LP of new tunes. That would make this Airiel fan very, very happy.
- Somehwere Cold