Single Review: Into The Light

Wellington band Hault is getting ever closer to the quintessential Dunedin sound with their latest single release, Into the Light. There’s a bit less grunge inspired psychedelic influence going on, but essentially this three-piece has retained their core sound first captured on a debut self-titled EP released last year to favourable reviews.

Mike Cole’s vocals once again provide a detached tension that demands your attention. This cuts straight through the mix like a knife through hot butter. It’s a vocal style somewhat reminiscent of Chris Knox’s whereby the tonal quality is a bit shocking at first, but this soon gives way to the musical quality of the performance. Audio engineers love good separation in the mix and that’s exactly what Cole’s voice naturally provides.

Into The Light starts out with Sean Fitzpatrick’s clean bass line galloping along at a fare pace. He efficiently walks the band into a powerful chorus line, which essentially showcases Hault’s alt rock edginess! Swapping between 4/4 and 2/4 Grant Lister’s straightforward drumming is interspersed with a double bass technique before the snare strokes. As well as the guitar solo this could do with some tightening up.

There’s a sense of déjà vu with this release that’s also echoed by the accompanying video and its tribute to digital history. Perhaps stylized on Max Headroom and interspersed with colourful shots of the band performing the song in a live setting, it’s a great piece of digital artwork and addition to New Zealand’s musical database.

Into The Light is a finely crafted single well worth checking out.

★★★ (3 stars)

_{Review written by River Tucker}