RELEASED TODAY: IST IST - “DAGGER”
“I Am The Fear” performers, IST IST, have released their newest album DAGGER. English post-punk band from Manchester (big up my hometown) use electronic synthesizers, old school melancholic vocals and a rebellious ideology and wrap their music up in an atmospheric package. Imagine if indie pop went gothic. Formed in late 2014, the band have created a name for themselves through word of mouth, performing at venues like Gorilla, The Deaf Institute and o2 Ritz. Their debut album ‘Architecture’ reached no. 3 on the UK Independent Album Chart and their second album ‘The Art of Lying’ reached mainstream charts at 87. They have since released two more albums, ‘Protaganist’s (2023)’ and ‘Light A Bigger Fire (2024)’ before their most recent release of DAGGER. Slowly, their fanbase has been building and building, culminating in a strong and loyal fanbase.
Being a part of the Manchester music scene is a blessing and occasionally a curse. The remnants of the scene previous - which struck a major impact on the industry in general - linger around both the artist and listener like a ghost. Immense honour and pressure is placed on anyone that makes a name for themselves in the city. IST IST have made it clear that they are aware of the challenge and are proudly up for the task. They love their Manchester roots and want to share and celebrate that in their music.
Dagger feels like the bands evolved form, showcasing their unique sound that mixes and blend of genres. The juxtaposition of the upbeat and funky synths with the minor guitar riffs, dramatically gothic vocals and somber lyrics create banger after banger. The guitars are all consuming, providing a strong relentless edge. Lead singer, Adam’s vocals are intentional and distinct - a low, maintained sound like a bass guitar if it was a voice. Their songs “I Am The Fear” “It Makes No difference” and “Obligations” are the obvious standouts for singles.
If you’re from Manchester, then you’ll understand my reference that I could imagine it being played at both Satan’s Hollow and (peak) 42’s. I can even imagine hit single “I Am The Fear” getting played somewhere on canal street, perhaps performed by a drag queen with an alternative style.
I think their genre mixing is particularly brave and pays off well. The sound is completely their own.
So lets talk about how it FEELS to listen to the album:
Close your eyes, imagine you’re looking in your wardrobe trying to decide whether to wear your leather or denim jacket to go out into Manchester. You put on your eyeliner and maybe style your hair back a little but that’s enough - you’re not going anywhere fancy. You still feel like you look good. So you get to the venue and the music is making you do that slow motion walk that they do in the films, you’ve had enough to drink that a warm feeling wraps around your head and makes your eyes drop halfway as the beat of the music washes over you. Some people are dancing to the tune, jumping up and down as the singer sings their catchy chorus but you don’t feel like doing that today. The music is making you sway side to side and your head is slowly matching the driving bass as it sinks into your skin. The feeling is euphoric, the drums are in your throat, the synths in your arms and the guitars in your legs. You lift your hands in the air and feel like you’re reaching the sky - in that moment you and the song are one.
Get yourself a physical copy of Dagger By IST IST and email info@ististmusic.com to ask for the specific download link. They announced last night that the download link counts towards their chart position next week. It will be great to see these guys climbing the charts.
Enjoy the music :)
