Single Review: Keep On Dancins 'Grey Ghost' Single

Keep On Dancins are one of those bands who have seemingly been around for ages, proved themselves countlessly with stellar EP and album releases, and yet they have never really attained the recognition they deserve as truly original and creative song-writers.

Although dreamy surf-rockers such as Beach House may have a similar sound, there is certainly nobody in Brisbane making this kind of music. I would even go as far to say there are really not many bands in Brisbane with a sound as mature as Keep On Dancins. There are plenty of gritty garage acts and fun indie boppers, but not many bands making music as layered, enticing and serious as Keep On Dancins. 

The band’s new single ‘Grey Ghost’ is possibly the best and most well developed demonstration of Keep On Dancin's robust talent. It certainly hints that the band can take their sound to an even deeper level, which is a significant statement to make considering the consistency in the strength of their songs on their album ‘The End of Everything.’ Grey Ghost extends on everything that is great about Keep On Dancins; it is a powerhouse of a song that builds and builds and doesn’t let you go until its explosive finale.

The key to Keep On Dancins’ power has always been their subtlety, a less-is-better-than-more approach that still evokes powerful emotions in the listener. But Grey Ghost is not like this. Grey Ghost is explosive and enrapturing: it is a song that demands to be heard. Now don’t get me wrong, Grey Ghost is not a loud and in-your-face song. It leads you in, guiding and goading the listener with a throbbing baseline and smooth, velvety vocals. The song begins much like any other Keep On Dancins song, but it takes the listener to a different place. By the time the chorus kicks in Yuri Johnson’s melodious surf guitar has erupted into a chaotic riff as Jacinta Walker hypnotically chants, ‘I saw a ghost,’ a phrase that builds more and more power with repetition. The chorus hints at what is to come, but leaves it only as a suggestion as the song relaxes back into its smooth baseline.

Jacinta’s vocals are powerful, but not overwhelming, whilst the lyrics are poetic without being pretentious, two phrases I could easily use to describe Keep On Dancins as a band. After the bridge the song fully divulges into a frenzied, near head-pumping guitar solo, in which all the subtle emotions hinted at are fully realised and wreck havoc and harmony on the listener. But like I said, Keep On Dancins are one of those bands that know less is more and thus, the band do not let the guitar solo go on for an excessive amount of time. Instead, allowing it to leave more impact than it otherwise would have if it had gone on for another minute or two. A lesser band would have done just that, but Keep On Dancins know exactly what they’re doing and most importantly, they trust their audience.

Published by AAA Backstage.