Slow Years/Jam Years
"Ash" is a uniquely imagined song, containing two distinct sections. In the first, ambient sound effects and a Radiohead-like guitar envelop Slow Years' washed-out, enigmatic vocals, breathy and strange. A slow, deep kickdrum occasionally joins to give the song a little pulse, then retreats again. The lyrics seem to be cultural commentary, though are maybe more interested in their sound then their deeper meaning.
A minute from the end, a full drumset and guitar kick on, and the song takes a few phrases to sound like a Red Hot Chili Peppers rock jam...before dropping back into final poetic melancholy and sweet stillness. I'm not entirely sure the point of the final part, and am also not entirely sure how I feel about it. It's certainly surprising. And it adds to the complexity and experimental sound of the band...and because it makes their sound harder to box into one genre, I think ultimately it serves them and helps inform their style.