Ghost Prom, the brainchild of Cameron and Eden Crosby, embarked on its artistic journey on a rainy Vancouver morning, where the symphony of raindrops served as the backdrop to the genesis of their collaborative venture. As the steam from a cup of coffee mingled with the strumming of a weathered guitar, a creative spark ignited, leading to a musical partnership that intertwined their lives with their art.
The inaugural creation, “Swamp Eyes,” born from that fateful morning, set the stage for Ghost Prom’s subsequent endeavors, characterized by a sound that emanates raw authenticity and unapologetic honesty. Their evolution has been marked by a series of singles preceding the release of their album Void Sweet Void, a collection that explores a myriad of emotional shades.
Within the album, Ghost Prom delivers a sweet and tender melancholy reminiscent of bands like Sparklehorse and Elliott Smith. Tracks such as “Kickstand” and “I’m So Tired” exude top-tier songwriting while wrapping itself around a warm bed of solace.
A standout favorite, “Let Me Alone,” evokes echoes of the esteemed Big Thief which in my opinion is one of the best band’s to come in the last decade. It begins very intimately. It sounds like you’re about three feet away from the performance which I think added the intended effect. The organ hums delicately in the mix. As the song continues it somehow gets better with the near perfect male and female vocals blending into a while. I think the saying “The Whole Is Greater Than The Sum Of The Parts.”
“Destroy” is fun with a lot of ear candy from the shifting backwards sounding guitars to the deep resonance of the tom drums. The hook is on point and is definitely a very melodic tune.
One of their recent singles, “Gramma,” has broad appeal which has a catchy and memorable hook. Although I found myself gravitating towards some of the other songs, the allure of “Gramma” is undeniable.
“Backseat” earns high praise for its sheer gorgeousness. Another highpoint comes with “Murray’s Eyes” which begins with some slight guitar picking and lamenting vocals. The song quickly blossoms with slide guitar and the lyrics “I don’t want to live like this/I just want to feel your kiss on my lips.” It’s not only a beautiful song but also effectively haunting.
The closer “Swamp Eyes” is indie pop perfection. It’s so lush and atmospheric and combines with infectious vocal harmonies you want to sing along with. This was another song which reminded me of some of the aesthetics I’ve heard from Big Thief.
The album impeccably captures the desired aesthetic, blending a raw yet polished sound reminiscent of bands like Broken Social Scene and Arcade. Ghost Prom emerges as a seriously commendable act, showcasing exceptional songwriting and delivery. I can’t say there is a single song on this album that made me want to skip a song.
For those yearning for the nostalgic sound of bands like Broken Social Scene, Ghost Prom emerges as a torchbearer, skillfully keeping the flame alive in Void Sweet Void.
Garth Thomas