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Single Review: Multiplier – Love You to Death

Mancunian band Multiplier, not to be confused with the electronic producer of the same name, have returned with a new single which is big, bold and loud, just like their home city. Now signed to North West indie label Playing with Sound, the heft of even an indie label is clear on this song, recorded at Liverpool’s storied Parr Street Studios. Starting with reasonably restrained guitar, it’s not long before drums which can only be described as thunderous kick in. Driving things along, slowly more components gather, till we’re met with the vocals and this is where the song gathers its dynamic. Singer Andy Gardner has a yowl that is reminiscent of Nick Cave, which only increases over the track’s duration.

When compared to their previous releases, it fits perfectly in tandem. They’re building upon the groundwork they’ve laid previously with ‘Heart of Gold’ and ‘Choice’, opening themselves up to develop into a crushing behemoth that could potentially rival Elbow in delivery and The Bad Seeds in haunting melody. It’s truly when the chorus kicks in that this rings true. The addition of strings creates an incredibly rousing and monumental moment that just adds to the weight behind the words “and I love you to death”.

Of course, the trouble with having such rousing choruses so early on is it kind of loses the impact toward the end of the song, which is where you really want the pick-up and resolution. It’s a double-edged sword: you’ll find the first chorus will definitely attract the listener and immediately grip them but to ensure the impact remains you shouldn’t give it all at once.

Don’t let this refrain you from listening at all. In fact, such powerful choruses are a pleasure to listen to. The bridge in the middle creates an antidote to all this, with its mellowed change and chord structure, and its wandering and escalating guitar solo that leads into the finale that drives everything home. By the time the song reaches its equilibrium, you feel as if you’ve been well and truly wooed.

Multiplier are certainly trying to take things to the next level with ‘Love You to Death’, and this is something they’ve certainly achieved. If they continue on this trend the future certainly looks bright, and there’s definitely a following out there waiting to be called home.

8/10

‘Love You to Death’, Multiplier’s new single, is out now on Playing with Sound.

Video of the Moment #1944: Multiplier

I wrote about Manchester band Multiplier back in the summer, when I reviewed their self-titled EP. As might be rightly expected for a band based in Manchester, I heard whispers of Doves in their music, which is a good thing, since Jimi Goodwin is off and running with his solo career and the Williams brothers have been keeping themselves busy with Black Rivers, leaving a Doves-shaped hole in the Manchester music scene.

Multiplier’s latest release is a double-A-sided single, which includes the tracks ‘Wait By the Gate’ and ‘Chasing Shadows’, dropped this past Monday. The kaleidoscopic promo that goes with the former – including some of Manchester’s famous red buildings, I see – fits nicely with Andy Gardner’s sweeping vocals, though it’s the thoughtful guitar work and solos that take centre stage on this track more so than any of the songs on the ‘Multiplier’ EP. Watch the video below.

The double-A-sided single ‘Wait By the Gate’ / ‘Chasing Shadows’ can be purchased from Multiplier’s Bandcamp.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM-CyPoXnAE[/youtube]

Album Review: Multiplier – Multiplier EP

Multiplier are a band from Manchester who take influences from high places: two are early days Radiohead and ‘80s post-punkers The Chameleons. But from listening to the first track ‘Choice’ and throughout their self-titled debut EP, what rings clearest are the echoes of a rock behemoth from their own hometown, Doves. BBC Introducing in Manchester’s support, then, doesn’t seem so surprising. The unique drumming sequence from the beginning is then joined by equally mesmerising shoegazey guitars, and Andy Gardner’s dreamy lead vocals aren’t that far off from those of Jimi Goodwin’s, or even Guy Garvey’s whose timbre is closer. “How the tables have turned”, repeats Gardner as the music swells, and you can’t help but be drawn into and get lost in the world they’ve created.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsKexKPJ74g[/youtube]

Comparatively, ‘Heart of Gold’ is a massive contrast, with a happy, poppy, peppy beat. It also is a footstomper in some places, which is another surprise coming off the moody, swirly ‘Choice’. Things go back to a far dreamier place in the nearly 7-minute opus ‘Acres’, where the guitar flickers from note to note like starlight. In dramatic juxtaposition, Gardner’s lyrics of “there’s nothing left here / I’ve been digging a grave / for passions expired” spark something deeply emotional.

Having already shown great promise in their songwriting and musicianship chops and supported bands as varied as I Like Trains, The Woodentops and fellow BBC Introducing buzz band Blossoms, I’m eager to hear what Multiplier get up to next. And you should be too.

7.5/10

Multiplier’s debut EP is out now on the band’s own Bandcamp, where it can be purchased at name your own price. You can listen to all three songs below.