Ivory ‘Your Grace EP’ review | Seeking expression beyond words
Ever since he first made us pay attention with his ‘Eleven E.P.’, Ivory has been releasing a plethora of albums, EPs and remixes. Carefully selecting each label he has released with in the past, he has been able to diligently tinker with subtle experimental elements in his productions, whilst still keeping smooth melodies as the backbone to fine tune a bold and enthralling sound we've most recently encountered with tracks such as ‘Pfauneisel’, ‘Basic Rhythm’ and ‘Avalon’.
Now with 2020 firmly underway, Ivory treats us to his second EP of the decade -’Your Grace’. It’s a four-track affair; a selection of impeccably-crafted songs which go much deeper than the surface. Whilst sound-wise there isn’t anything out of the ordinary, Ivory does seem to do something new by providing a connection between the tracks and their names - expanding our imaginations and taking us through a mini journey brought to life from the titles.
Although starting with a prominent backbeat, laced with a flicking snare, ‘Your Grace’ is actually quite the moderate introduction. Just after the first minute, elongated melodic chords take the spotlight, romantically progressing down the chord scale, until razor-sharp dabs jump in for a pleasant surprise. Here, is exactly the point where we encounter the Ivory we know. The intensity flips: whilst the downward melodic structure is still playing out, the chords intertwine themselves with each element previously encountered.
It’s from this point where the track becomes more coherent than fragmented, before treating us to a beautiful breakdown we’ve been eagerly anticipating. Graceful by name, (semi) graceful by nature, it’s a cinematic wonder which tenderly pulls upon the heartstrings.
Instantly more uptempo than its predecessor, ‘Thing We Do For Love’ brings a cosmic feel via the luminous and swirling bass and dashes of echoing hi-hats. A stomping beat marches through whilst clacking chords rattle through adamantly. Sonic and spacey as it is intense, it progresses to pursue quite a hypnotic vibe, with the rattles and spliced synths flustering through in a cut-up and chaotic manner before gradually softening out. Much like love, this track goes through the phases we’ve all probably experienced before: the beginning, the intensity and passion, the hectic arguments, and sadly, the fading away of what has been.
Aptly named, ‘The Pack Survives’ really throws your imagination into another dimension. Close your eyes and you’re there – in the woods, dark as the hour drags itself into midnight. The air, crisp with a sharp bite. Frantically scurrying forwards, the rolling beat forms the backbone, before haunting wolf howls place your mind right into the thick of the scene. As the beat continues to gallop through, a bright and mesmerising chord exhales itself out of nowhere – echoing itself into a mystifying ding which continues to rumble through.
Could this be symbolism of the light at the end of the tunnel?
As all elements tinker against each other, the howls loop faster to create perfect tension before the breakdown, where although prominent, they slightly drift away before leaving the bright bells to continue, until they too disintegrate to leave only the rolling structure alone once more.
Bringing the EP into a close, all stops are pulled out for the finale. Fresh from their collaboration, ‘Basic Rhythm’, Ivory once again pairs with fellow VOLT resident, Auggie. It’s an unapologetically lethal and wild combination - unifying Ivory’s smooth and kinetic approach with Auggie’s abstract infusion of chunkier sounds slathered with industrial percussion.
Almost bellowing along, a crash symbol crescendos in as the smooth, almost synthesised harmony wades through the veins. As gravelly-cutting chords bounce up and down, before rotating with the admittedly shy melody and tingling bells, a high-pitched screech energetically comes into play – splicing through to lead the breakdown. Madena, as a name, apparently means ‘a bitter woman’ – and it could rightly resemble so through the distressing wails which are now so prominent throughout.
Chaos soon descends after the breakdown, where the groove and bouncing chords push through at an almost unstoppable pace. The magic is, unquestionably, within the madness. But with all good things which must come to an end, so does this. Soon, the drama fades away gently until no more.
‘Your Grace’ EP is a solid release which simply does not disappoint. Four superbly crafted tracks which have just as much impact on the dancefloor as they do in your headphones. For Ivory, this EP is not an attempt to concieve anything which differs from the norm. Instead, it seems much more of a release which tries to take us away into another state of mind and use more than just our ears. An album, which, showcases his growing confidence and niche which is rapidly growing stronger with each release.
Your Grace was released on Connected on 27th February 2020
Review by Joanne Philpott
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