Daniel Davies composed the 2021 EP
Spies on his own during COVID-19 lockdown, and its five tracks focus squarely on capturing an intensely paranoid mood, as though one is constantly under surveillance. In a lot of ways, it's much more low-key than his previous releases, lacking the spooky harpsichord melodies of his last two albums and only rarely revisiting the hard rock edge of his soundtracks (real or imagined) with
John Carpenter. Still, the tracks are filled with the type of creeping suspense that seems elevated by an endless state of cabin fever. "The Bomber" opens with tense whirring, piercing the frigid stillness with notes that can be slightly unnerving at first, then gradually building up to a noisy storm before quiet, distant piano notes are all that remain. "Out of the Night" has grand waves of strings that feel lighter and more transportive with the addition of soft synth arpeggios. The title track progresses from a clanging crawl to something approaching the narcotic rhythm of a witch house track, but fleshed out with the addition of lush, flowing strings. "Beasts of L.A." has marching drums and a heavy guitar crunch, pausing the steady procession for a few moments only to blast back. "Ceremony" is perhaps the most overtly frightening track, shocking with harsh noise at the beginning before a nervous heartbeat signals a feeling of ominous dread. With the exception of a few quick scares,
Davies tends to go for slow-motion terror here, filling you with suspicion until it's too late. ~ Paul Simpson