ALBUM: TAYNE - 'Breathe' - GigslutzGigslutz

A journey through tense mental states and uneasy memories; TAYNE‘s debut album Breathe is an electronic assault fueled by abrasive synths, intense guitar riffs and explosive pay-offs. Self-produced by creator Matthew Sutton, mixed by Barra Enright, and mastered with TJ Lipple (St Vincent, Fugazi, Bikini Kill), Breathe is a polished but punishing listen.

TAYNE blur the lines between industrial, synth-pop, shoe-gaze and alternative; comfortably exploring elements of each genre throughout their debut offering. The eponymous ‘Breathe’ opens the record with a visceral cacophony of synth textures and drum patterns and Sutton’s hair-raising screams. It transitions in to ‘Haunted’, which feels like an emotional exorcism – urging listeners to “move on and forget the past” in hypnotic style.

‘Heartbeat’ follows with its infectious guitar riffs, before the luscious sounds of ‘Sacrifice’ break through. Both songs share a hazy, memorable synth pattern and bookend each other perfectly. The same can be said for the choppy, atmospheric ‘A_Lie’, which acts as an intro to ‘Alive’. A pulverizing blend of guitar, bass, and electronics; ‘Alive’ sounds like it was inspired by the likes of Nine Inch Nails, John Maus, Fuck Buttons, & Health.

Dark, industrial synth sequences flood the intro to ‘Open Up’, with Sutton’s reassuring vocals providing respite – “I’ll be right here” – before a chaotic, musical breakdown ensues. It bleeds perfectly in to ‘Figure It Out’ with its atmospheric keys and lyrical motifs, and a cathartic breakdown two minutes in – designed to help listeners face their demons and process their pain.

Penultimate track ‘Gone’ flows in the same vein, and feels like another aural release of trauma. Sutton’s extended vocals float over more altruistic electronics, before the turbulent ‘Storms’ closes the record. Inspired by a series of reocurring nightmares Sutton had when he was recording, ‘Storms’ is proof of his ability to turn personal conflict in to ambiguous noise-pop that resonates long after it stops ringing out.

With a sound as distracting as the shade of pink Sutton paints his lips with for their live shows – TAYNE’s debut album Breathe is a vital, abrasive, cathartic listen that demands full attention, and will impress those who are craving something different.