Music exists not only to be analyzed, but you may be excused to think this way considering it is exactly what we do on this blog. To me, however, music is a door into the world and the culture, my own way to learn something new daily. In February this year I had so much fun writing an entire article about the JW Paris video to “Wicked Game” and trying to find all the references and cinematic clues like a professional detective. Just last month a single by Chaidura introduced me to the rich and sadly underrated Singapore rock scene. I have discovered countless books, paintings and authors thanks to Manic Street Preachers. And since one of my favorite bands in the whole universe GLYTSH just dropped a new single, here I am again unearthing more treasures. If you want to tag along on the ride, you are more than welcome.
Dissocia single cover
“Dissocia” is the second song that a London based duo released this year. If “V.H.S” (Vulgar Holy Spirit) was sludge metal inspired screamer, this composition is more mellow and almost radio friendly. I say almost, because it is still metal and you have more chance to be kicked by an alpaca than hear metal on a commercial radio station in the UK during the day. On the other hand, taking into consideration that your chances of being kicked by a cousin of a llama are never zero, there is also plausibility to hear new GLYTSH on the airwaves. If given a chance “Dissocia” can be played everywhere and bring joy to those listeners who happen to like strong riffs and rock vocals.
“Dissocia” can be regarded as a quasi-rock ballad. If you are expecting something along the lines of “She`s Gone” by SteelHeart or “She`s An Angel” by Doro Persch then you may be tiny bit disappointed. It`s more in the same league as “Going Under” by Evanescence or “I Miss Misery” by Halestorm. It`s strongest point arrives in the chorus with Jennifer Diehl`s vocals sounding nothing short of majestic and very solemn. It`s precisely what music writers mean when they call a song anthemic, so please stand up. Jen`s partner in crime – guitarist Claire Genoud – created some solid walls of sound for the song. Just listen to the guitar solo at 2:15 to realize that the whole dynamic of GLYTSH revolves around a meticulous collaboration between the duo: powerful vocals and incredibly potent shredding. It`s so simple it is a literary genius idea, and it works!
The single is promoted by a video that puts togethers two separate words: neon-colored 3D utopia with black and white lab like room where Jennifer and Claire are shown to be painted with dirt and their shadows move like tree branches. This is not accidental. I mentioned that every time GLYTSH drop a new single, I am on a treasure hunt. The video to “V.H.S” played around the theme of a cursed video tape – pretty much like The Ring franchise. You see the band perform and you have got seven days on this mortal coil. “Dissocia” is much more serious in its message than horror flicks. First and foremost, it deals with living with dissociative disorder. Just two words but behind it there is a cluster of five groups and over 8 separate responses to a trauma, psychedelic substances, accident or even having no cause at all. There are two major works that deal with dissociative disorder: American sci fi medical drama “Dissocia” (AI produced medical drug that allows people to change their appearance and personality) and a stage play by Anthony Nielsen (“The Wonderful World of Dissocia”). Nielsen divided his play in two unequal parts: one full of color and absurd adventures of Lisa in the imaginary realm, the other showing the same character as a patient in a mental hospital coming to terms with both her illness and recovery in a real but often bleak world. Nielsen had a particular reason for doing so – he wanted to show how the healing process can seem unattractive and even degrading to people who suffer from any form of dissociative disorder.
GLYTSH goes for a similar dichotomy in the video – the CGI utopia they created is pulsing with light, power and seeing Claire shred on her guitar like a superhero, it gives you a feeling of being indestructible and almost god-like. In contrast in the lab room with dark shadows, both girls look like they are suffering, with Jennifer screaming in pain. Sometimes bands leave me speechless – pretty much the same way Manics` “Holy Bible” did – and I think how come despite all those cuts to arts, limits to self-expression and dumbing down of general culture we still have artists that can effortlessly and in such strong terms provide us with insight into worlds that we would otherwise never experience. Give me one more powerful argument why we should spend our every penny on making this country artist friendly – I will wait.
Here is a cliché – but we don’t deserve music and art of the caliber that GLYTSH is making if we don’t properly start paying people to do the work. “Dissocia” was watched over 1000 times in less than two days and reviews range from eye opening to powerful and it is hard not to agree. This is underground, authentic music that moves despite having no PR or big connections. If we want to see another generation of powerful artists rise, we need to nurture them.
“Dissocia” was released on 22 November. It was recorded at Raw Sound Studios by Rasmus Andersen, Glytsh (Jennifer Dielh – vox, Claire Genoud – guitars, Rosalvo Melo – drums, Atlas Von Deekziev – bass) with additional input from Tom Saint. The video was directed by Ulrich Von Ricken.
Our coverage so far:
https://vanadianavenue.co.uk/2022/06/12/indieterria-meets-glytsh/
https://vanadianavenue.co.uk/2022/09/30/glytsh-savge-single-review/
https://vanadianavenue.co.uk/2023/05/04/glytsh-v-h-s-vulgar-holy-spirit-single-premiere/
https://vanadianavenue.co.uk/2022/12/25/alternative-christmas-2022-with-glytsh/
https://vanadianavenue.co.uk/2022/03/26/glytsh-closer-single-review/
You can follow GLYTSH on socials:
https://glytsh.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thisisglytsh
https://www.instagram.com/thisisglytsh/
https://twitter.com/thisisglytsh
https://www.tiktok.com/@thisisglytsh
https://soundcloud.com/glytsh-band
https://www.youtube.com/@GlytshTV
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3IuN2dAX0Mi7hblMfMbO6X
Additional reads:
https://www.rightchordmusic.co.uk/glytsh-have-the-power-to-drive-you-insane/
Malicia Dabrowicz
Indieterria 