Air Formation

Like many neo-sheogaze bands, Air Formation are caught between the unavoidable influence of earlier pioneers and finding their own particular way around that sound. Happily, its debut self-titled EP works more often than not; if at points it's clearly bliss-out by numbers — with all the right elements in place just so, thanks to constant exposure to Ride, Slowdive, and My Bloody Valentine — the end results easily satisfy. Though it's unclear who plays what in the band, aside from keyboardist Parks, whoever handles the guitars knows their way around beautifully sculpted, shimmering, treble-heavy feedback overdrive, cascading down in a dreamy slow wave — check out "Lunar" for a good instance, roaring and echoing into the middle distance. If only it wasn't the same exact style used for practically every song, Air Formation might have a chance to show more individuality, though there's a definite ear for arrangement and smart delivery on "Seashine" and some fine closing instrumental drift with "Centre of Gravity." Tempos tend toward the steady and sometimes space rock slow, which is all the better for the aural tripping at play, while vocals are unsurprisingly swirled into the mix, if not completely buried. The quartet needs to do more to really make a mark, but Air Formation still have a reasonable start in place.