A gorgeous debut.

A lot has been made of the genre styling of Easter Island’s impressive debut, Frightened. There’s been a tug-of-war between post-rock and dream-pop but none of it really matters. What does matter is the music that sparks these debates and it’s some of the most stunning and elegantly fashioned music you’re likely to hear this year. Easter Island has been compared with everyone from Grizzly Bear to Explosions in the Sky, but never any act that’s operated on a level away from sheer excellence. There’s a reason for this. The songs on Frightened are so well-composed and so grounded that anyone would be mistaken in thinking that this was Easter Island’s third or fourth full-length. It’s never less than a thrilling listen that’s propelled by dynamics, emotion and unmistakable grace. Dream-pop, post-rock, dream-rock-post-pop, whatever you want to call it, this is a beautiful release that is worth a purchase.