London’s Mouth Ulcers today release their debut EP Silent Pictures via LAB Records. Formed in 2025, the quartet have been gathering attention around the capital and beyond with their own interpretation of the goth soundscape.
Opener ‘Prevail’ immediately hooks the listener with a bassline which is at once dramatic, the tension continuing throughout the track. The lyrics are not easy to decipher, adding to the intensity, encouraging the listener to lean in. However it is the classy instrumentation which dominates, the guitar layered section is darkly glorious along with the shimmering percussion. ‘Western Horror Story’ follows with a shift of pace. The vocal delivery opens up, on ‘Prevail’ it was provided by Zak Watson (vocals/guitar), but here he combines with Josephine Rose (guitar/vocals). There is a hint of Bauhaus and the lyrics express a sense of frustration: “Everytime I see you, I need you to stay” is a line that remains long in the memory after the track has finished, its meaning haunting, perhaps alluding to obsession.
‘Space’ lightens the mood initially with a glorious guitar riff and echoey dancing beats. The hazy shoegaze vocals accompany the soundscape with its crisp yet driving rhythm which almost imperceptibly builds as it travels, gaining momentum. One of the highlights of Silent Pictures, its dancing beats creating a mood all of its own.
The alchemy of music is always exhilarating. How can the combination of notes and instruments create an emotion and atmosphere before any words are uttered? Title track ‘Silent Pictures’ is driving and urgent. It conveys a sense of pained frustration: “I can’t seem to control myself”. Mystery and intrigue develops, the tension dense. The bassline of Jamie-Lee Culver is so expressive, it has a life of its own. The driving pace continues on ‘Closer To You’, its breathy vocals, crisp guitar plus metronomic percussion of drummer David Zbirka pushes the track forward. There is a definite flow to this body of work, increasing in its urgency as it progresses, a growing sense of assertiveness.
‘Satisfy’ has an emotional pull from the outset. It crafts a picture dominated by the echoey guitar and the mid-track shift is thrilling. The opening contemplative mood builds in power and intensity, leading into the final track ‘A Perfect End’. Mystical and dark with a deliciously twangy guitar and breathy vocals, it bounces along, but still with that goth fervency. The bassline is ever present but there is a cinematic quality to ‘A Perfect End’, the density in the instrumentation increases, building over the vocals. The sonic landscape says everything. It fades slowly, but the listener should always wait until the final note, its not over until its over.
On Silent Pictures, Mouth Ulcers have produced a body of work which flows through its seven tracks. The gothic influence is clear, oozing through their sound, and the band more than delivers on this their first body of work. It is mightily impressive in this post punk and pop dominated music landscape. Only one thought remains at the end of Silent Pictures, this music simply has to be seen performed live.
For more information on Mouth Ulcers please check their instagram and tiktok.
Review: 8 out of 10