5th PROJEKT are a Toronto, Canada-based act led by multi-instrumentalist Sködt McNalty and vocalist Tara Rice, and accompanied by Peter Broadley on bass and Jeremy Oram on drums. They’ve featured once before on this blog. In January, I shared their track Wrong Way, which features on their new EP The Wolf, which is out now.
By Graeme Smith
Feature photo by 5th PROJEKT
The Wolf is the first of a trilogy of EPs, all named after animals. The Owl is set for release next year, then The Bee at sometime after. The nature theme feels right give 5th PROJEKT’s sound. Though deeply experimental and based in electronic rock, there’s something organic about it too (indeed, they run their own record label called Organik Rekords).
The EP kicks things off with Autopilot Disengage. It’s a moody track that takes you into the cabin of an airplane with its ambient sounds, but it’s not a relaxing flight. Eerie psychedelia makes it feel like Pink Floyd’s journey into the heart of the sun. Tara’s ethereal vocals paint a poetic story. It’s a strong start.
Vagabond is led with Peter’s bass and broods and seethes with each note. Through its electronica, it feels like a folktale. Folklore is, in fact, one of 5th PROJEKT’s main inspirations, and themes of magick featured both in their previous EP The Labyrinth and here.
Previously mentioned The Wrong Way sits third in the EP’s running, providing an urgent, energetic change of pace. The two sides of 5th PROJEKT’S bring to mind trip-hop legends Portishead, and fans of them will certainly find a lot to love about this EP.
The Pace is the EP’s final instalment, and feels the most boundary-pushing. It’s almost nine minutes long, and starts with distorted traditional folk instrumentals before developing into slow-burning post-rock. The journey doesn’t end there and soon you’re treated to pacy post-punk and shoegaze.
5th PROJEKT’s handle on different genre influences make The Wolf a very exciting EP. They’re inspired by the best, but also make a sound that feels very uniquely theirs. The textured and ethereal compositions reward the attentive listener, while mood and atmosphere is delivered by the bucketload across its four tracks. I can’t wait for the other two parts of the trilogy!
You can listen to the whole of The Wolf below.