Haunted images is the vision of Louth, Ireland based producer and songwriter David O’Farrell-McGeary. He blends the modern alt-metal influences of Deftones and Deafheaven, with the left field ambience of Aphex Twin and shoegaze mainstays My Bloody Valentine, creating his signature sound. David has now released his self-titled debut album, an album that seeks to bring light to the impending darkness. David expands:
“Overall, this album is about forgiveness. Forgiveness within yourself and forgiveness of the people around you. An exploration of dark periods of time through the lens of music. Although each song has its own individual identity, the piece as a whole definitely has its own unique identity. It’s a deeply introspective album where I dissect myself at every song and put many personal and traumatic experiences under a musical microscope”
The album opens with ‘I forgive you’, a shimmering shoegaze introduction, alongside a guitar layer which adds a wall of sound. As the track progresses it is the soundscape that dominates, closing out the final few seconds with the gentlest of keyboard notes.
‘If you want’ follows, an acoustic guitar giving way to a cascading backdrop on which the vocal deftly sits across the top. There are quieter moments within the track, unpredictable sections which provide a moments breath within the emotive pull of the vocals.
There are three instrumental tracks sprinkled throughout haunted images. First is ‘arklow emo’, with its crisp plinking of guitar strings, whereas ‘I don’t know where it begins or where it ends anymore‘ feels like an instrumental stream of conscience, the gorgeous beats, hypnotic and mesmerising delivered to soothe and calm. Finally ‘A grey sky over a city of ghosts’ is a soaring surging track which ebbs and flows, taking the listener along on its journey which gradually fades out towards the end.
‘Stay awake’ is a highlight on haunted images as the pace lifts and with it the emotional tug and an electric guitar riff which leads the way, stunningly accompanied by the heartbeat of the drum. The vocals are the most impassioned here which matches the music perfectly.
‘sometimes’ is given the space to breathe. At over five minutes the majority of the track is a shoegaze gem, until, with about a minute to go, there is an injection of power seeing the track out to the end. ‘Take Me Instead’ is something quite different altogether. With an alt-rock opening it’s the guitars that are in charge from the very beginning before the breathless vocal joins in. The guitars continue to lead the way on ‘Grey days’. There is a sense that the guitars are given more and more freedom as the album progresses. Their ties are being loosened and the result is exhilarating.
‘heavenlevel7’ closes out the album and it begins with an experimental warping of sound, back and forth. The guitars then take back control, echoey and commanding before all the instrumentation falls together to become one. The distorted vocals suggest a hint of uncertainty, the lack of clarity almost portraying an attempt at understanding. The guitars only grow in stature, as if communicating with each other. They have the final say on haunted images, as they very slowly and serenely fade into the outro.
Review: 7 out of 10
For more information on haunted images please check their instagram and spotify.