Layten Kramer‘s Oscar St. Records debut, Glory, is a hauntingly cinematic album, filled with sparse landscapes, a desert-evoking sound, heartbreak, and the struggles of mental illness. By the end of the four track EP, you’re left wondering if it’s the long-lost soundtrack to a modern western.
Kramer’s EP kicks in with the synth-laden psychedelic dream of “The Void” which questions, “Are you happy?” with the phantasmagoric backing vocals of Jen Severtson (Peach Pyramid) and an alto saxophone solo give the “The Void” an unmistakable Adult Contemporary vibe.
Despite the strengths of “The Void,” it feels like a pop-filled MacGuffin as the rest of the album takes on a bolder Western affectation.
Throughout the album, Kramer often turns introspective, recounting moments of struggle from within his own life. The mournful strings of Dougal Bain and subtly dramatic trumpet of Olivier Clements bring these to light in the song, “Glory,” the song from which the EP takes its name.
“Father told me that to be a good man, son put your head down and glory soon will come” and other gut-wrenching lyrics are emphasized by the Southwestern sounds.
Both “Long Gone” and “Final Frontier” deliver on the promise of Layten Kramer’s self-described Acid Western style, digging deep with ghostly hooks and transporting you to a barren landscape filled with tumbleweeds and doctor’s offices. It’s a testament to Kramer’s restless experimentation and progression as a guitarist and songwriter.
Glory is an devastatingly unshakeable record. Filled with cross-genre amalgams, it begs for constant repeat listens in a quest for desert surf, answers, and closure.
Layton Kramer’s Glory EP is available to stream or download on Bandcamp, iTunes, Spotify, and Google Play.
On May 10th, 2018, Layten Kramer will be kicking off a Canadian tour with fellow Oscar St Records alumnus Peach Pyramid at Upstairs Cabaret in Victoria, BC. Joining them on the bill will be Elan Noon and a stripped-down set from New Pornographers’ Kathryn Calder. More information and tickets can be found here.