“Austin trio Love Inks [specialize] in a near unique type of minimal noir. Recalling the likes of The xx at their most basic, or even Rough Trade legends Young Marble Giants, the band’s output – just one studio album to date – is precocious, enticing … The fragile arrangement [of “Shoot 100 Panes of Glass”] wraps itself around a motorik inspired groove, with the lyrics delving into a painful break up. It’s oddly anthemic, too – but imagine a crowd singing ‘give me a break, give me your lungs hollowed out…’” – Clash
Love inks is a minimalist pop group making music that harkens back to early 80s UK (Marine Girls, Young Marble Giants) and David Lynch’s Roadhouse. The group’s sleek, needleprecise sound comes distinctly from Austin, Texas.
It is a combination of guitar, played quietly but as if from a 12 foot deep well, and bass, creating both tension and melodic release when necessary, in conjunction with an electronic drum machine.
Although, the triangle is only completed by Sherry LeBlanc’s voice, which leads the listener through every song whether it be mellow or dark. These three elements together make up Love Inks.
Their use of silence and their approach to instrumentation, while sometimes coming across as confrontational, makes their music direct and sincere.
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