Review: Ghosts by Placekeeper

I've always been of the opinion that character is the most important thing in music. Without a display of the creator's character and personality then we're simply left with the inhuman ideal of music as 'organised sound', something which we now have AIs making for us. What I mean by character is that intangible element which can separate artists from one another, even if on a musical basis they sound invariably close. These subtle nuances and incidental changes are what make music truly unique, and Placekeeper is an artist standing as a perfect example of this fact.

Placekeeper are an indie rock band from Denver, Colorado fronted by singer, guitarist and songwriter Ganesh Chandran. Ghosts is their latest single, but the song itself actually dates back several years. Originally written in 2012, the song addresses themes of self-confidence and self-doubt, feelings that were brought to the fore again recently and inspired Ganesh to revisit the song and bring it to life with Placekeeper. The song doesn't feel dated, even though it's musical influences come from some quite time specific styles. In fact, there is a very intriguing balance between nostalgia, contemplation and premonition that manages to feel both humble and triumphant.

Musically the track is a combination of lo-fi indie rock's sonic aesthetics with turn of the century emo's melodic styles. You could describe it as being like Wavves meets The Get Up Kids, or perhaps Guided By Voices meets Jimmy Eat World. The track has a raw recording style and a deliberate use of natural fuzz, but also an unashamed lean towards pop-punk hooks. As the track goes on these lo-fi sounds develop more depth, and elements of shoegaze start to appear in the shimmering organs and vivid harmonies.

Combining these elements with the lyrics already gives the track an incredibly human feel, but it's taken to a new level by Ganesh's wonderfully organic and passionate voice. What this track lacks in technicality and precision it makes up for in attitude and personality; but it is these qualities which make the track feel special and individual.

Ghosts is a charming track with far more going on beneath the surface than might appear on first listen. There is something remarkable about hearing a song that sounds this honest, and it's given a uniqueness and spirit by it's imperfections. Placekeeper have produced a tremendous track full of passion and emotion, and it's wrapped up in excellently written hooks that are immediate and memorable. On this evidence, I really can't wait to hear more from Placekeeper in the future.

You can listen to Ghosts and other tracks by Placekeeper on Spotify

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