As guitarist for Britrock sloggers Reef, Kenwyn House seemed bound for a future of thinning crowds and heckles of “It’s your letters!” It was a bold change to the script when he quit the line-up in 2014 to pursue this psych-blues rock side-project with vocalist Leah Rasmussen – and now Goldray make their full debut with one of the most compelling releases of the early year.
Outloud sets the tone, Rasmussen hitting all the octaves with a swooped vocal that evokes a ballsier Kate Bush, while House flexes his muscles, unleashing massive looped riffs and revving up Eyes and Soul Child with wild solos that remind you of his underrated skills. #
The guitarist freely admits that hallucinogens fuelled the writing sessions, and no doubt that helped lift this material from generic heavy-blues to something altogether trippier and more interesting. Woozy organ, burbling phaser and tape effects swim through the mix, and on the brown-acid mind-expander Calling Your Name, Goldray announce themselves as a band with big ideas. Highly recommended.
