Album Review: Pharaohs - Photosynthesis

Rob Leary, Jonny Lewis, Joe Steven and Inigo Martin-Quirk are Pharaohs, a London/Otford math-pop outfit of hip-as-you-want moustache-wielding fellows with a knack for dual vocal harmonies and angular strumming. The fact that they have shared stages (or will in nearby future) with Tubelord, DD/MM/YYYY, The James Cleaver Quintet, Dananananakroyd, Tall Ships and the like, makes their latest release ‘Photosynthesis’ all the more interesting.

And from the sound of opening track ‘Tubes’, they seem to fit in perfectly well somewhere between Tellison and Tubelord, albeit within more straight-forward song-writing structures. The track is a cocktail of mathy vocal harmonies, odd-ball guitar strumming and fluctuating drumming patterns that constantly lurks around the edges of a hook without ever fully reaching release. ‘Momento’ is another example of some good ideas and quirky math-pop goodness, although this time they are punctuated by crashing cymbals, high-note guitar-jangling and dancey-rhythms. Pharaohs’ world is one of goofy joy.

Unfortunately, the next five tracks on the mini-album, although certainly consistent and solid enough songs, aren’t quite as incisive and inspired as the opening two. Single ‘Photosynthesis’ is a decent ride but refuses to be memorable, and ‘Glitter’ is full of drive, but lacking in exciting moments. ‘Body Clock’ and ‘Honey Badgers’ are both blessed with top-notch middle-eight work but everything around these sections are a tad of a let-off.

Closer ‘See Sea’, on the other hand, is a fresh listen as muffled harmonies conduct at mellow track over the pounding of the bass drum before the track allows itself to break into crashing cymbals for added drama, before reverting to loyal arpeggios and back again. It’s a little different to the rest, and it shows some welcome versatility. All in all, Pharaohs produce all the right ingredients, in all the right places, and probably just need a little more time to polish of their writing consistency. The solid ‘Photosynthesis’ will do for now, but it’s worth keeping an eye for what’s next.

3.5/5

'Photosynthesis' by Pharaohs is available now.

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James Berclaz-Lewis