The group consists of siblings Gabe, Noa and Liv Niles who share vocal and instrumental responsibilities. They are joined by singer and instrumentalist Blues Williams who completes the quartet. Despite having successfully reigned in their sound to create a more pleasurable listening experience, Magick Spells is by no means monotonous. Its instrumental variety and ever-shifting vocals keeps the album dynamic from beginning to end. Harmonies are always present and the vocal variety, although a little confusing at first, is undoubtedly the defining feature of Magick Spells.
The quartet’s musical prowess and vocal capabilities are apparent in the variety of genres that are present in the album. This enables them to effortlessly shift from thoughtful melodic tracks like “‘Till you come home” to hard rock numbers like “Head”. More intense psychedelic tracks are also present with songs like “Black wine of an owl”, which serves as a reminder that Gateway Drugs is not selling out and that Magick Spells is still a rock album with an alternative influence, not the other way around.
With a new full length album and a sound that is simultaneously refined and rough around the edges, it will be interesting to see what response the music industry has in store for Gateway Drugs. For now they have been signed as the opening act for a tour with British rock band Swervedriver, which may be the publicity stepping-stone they need to launch them into the halls of musical fame.
Image: iTunes.apple.com
