EP Review: Warship Across

Warship Across is the third EP since their first in 2021 for Wellington-based Electric Tapestry. There is a large and diverse list of musical influences that have gone into making the Electric Tapestry sound. Suffice it to say that the description on their Facebook page reads “Electric Tapestry is a space rock dish of creamy psychedelia, metal chunks with a pop topping”, and that sums things up nicely.

On first track Nightshift, some softly spun solo guitar briefly offers up some chords, before the band kicks in and spreads the song’s wings., creating a wonderful wave of lush warmth, with a deft little signature guitar lick, and vocals and crisp, clean, and clear as a cloudless spring day. Halfway through, the pace kicks up several gears, with a strong and solid rock feel. Things are off to a good start.

Next is Over My Shoulder, there’s a dream-tinted ’60s vibe to the start of this one, and it becomes pure pop rock mastery. Plenty happening on the vocals front, and it’s all good. It’s 5 minutes of dance-inducing, sing-along happiness, adroitly presented. There’s a little bit of swagger-laced dirt sneaking craftily in on guitar at various points. I like the care and attention this band takes in constructing guitar and bass parts that all complement each other so skillfully as is perfectly evident on Easy Street. Another upbeat and airy song, with just a tasty little hint of grit, some cool moments of tension, and a belter second half. I can just tell that this one will be bouncing around the brainpan, long after I’ve finished listening.

Peppermint Snow is a subdued song, but the groove still flows powerfully along. Those guitarists are at it again, with their slick interplay, and standout dynamic control. A band that clearly listens to, understands, and plays for the song. The vocals are soulful and pure, and sung with conviction and skill. Ooh baby, it’s time for some slinky funk styles on The Train. That bass player is just all over it, with a massive deep tone, bringing the low end in spades. All sorts of interesting guitar playing is exhibited in this improvised instrumental piece of nearly 8 minutes duration, with the drummer right on the money, just feel for days.

And just as all good things must come to an end, so Warship Across ends with Endless. Another improvised and almost entirely instrumental piece, it’s a track in no hurry to get going, meandering deliciously along. There’s a vocal part that only ever makes suggestions of being involved, hovering around the fringes of the sound as if shy, until belting out the final lusty note.

The members of Electric Tapestry are crafters of songs that will have you coming back again and again for further listening pleasure. Superb.