In the past I have to admit I’ve found it hard to connect with The Black Ghosts. There is a palpable, chilly air of unattainability surrounding them, which is perhaps the combination of a stern policy that you can listen but not touch, and a promise that while they won’t be your best friends, dear god, they will make you dance. And for the first time, with their debut full-length album I’m more than happy to participate in their sassy banter with a, “Fine. Watch me.”

The Black Ghosts’ self-titled album follows a couple of aloof boys lamenting a number of even more aloof girls, and outlines an epic struggle to maintain a steely exterior composed of disposable emotions versus the haunting truth of just how crippling those emotions can actually be. Take the nihilistic, I Want Nothing, for a dose of the former, and the desperate and orchestral, Some Way Through This, to experience the latter, as we participate in the uncomfortable sentiments behind such lines as, “if my hands were around your throat would you tell me what I need to know.” You could even tentatively argue that it’s the soundtrack to the life of a rock star, and who better to execute this than the legendary Simon Lord, ex-Wiseguys’ Theo Keating, and special guest star, Blur and Gorillaz frontman, Damon Albarn.

And don’t forget, this shit is dancey. It will make you restless, and if it doesn’t, you surely have no soul. Pick it up from IAMSOUND on July 8th.

The Black Ghosts - Repetition Kills You (ft Damon Albarn)

The Black Ghosts – I Want Nothing

- bec