Silver Gore – Dogs in Heaven Review

We should always welcome those daring enough to release new work. At a time when arts across the globe, let alone the United Kingdom, are being decimated, to see new performers emerge is a sign of hope. Not all is lost, though most of it has been scorched before the arrival of duos like Silver Gore. They are making the most of a world turned upside down, and their EP debut, Dogs in Heaven, is a delight. A delicate and comfortable creation which dares to challenge its listeners with the synthpop and alt-rock overlap. There is a lightness to Dogs in Heaven, that feeling of excitement which comes from being a part of a new and exciting project. That feeling does not fade, but it fights for its position against that fear of crashing down to reality. What a fine blur it is, though. Dogs in Heaven nails that line between the thrills of creation and the darkness we create against. 

Ava Gore steps into the foreground for the first time and makes an excellent showing of it. Dogs in Heaven highlights what classical training can do when paired with exciting, forward-thinking genres. Opening song A Scar’s Length is magnificent. A higher vocal pitch and a mesmerising, floaty tone to Gore’s voice match up well with the initially soft but instrumentally dense first track. A Scar’s Length is an excellent showcase of what the duo can do, with Ethan P Flynn using those lessons learned working with Jockstrap and David Byrne to his advantage. Those higher pitches from Gore’s vocal work can be heard on the title track, where the howls of those ascended pooches are a neat backing to an instrumentally strong piece of work. Silver Gore benefits massively from the previous experiences of both Gore and Flynn. It’s an experience like that which means a cutting bassline is mixed perfectly into place, or a little extra flicker is added, dropped into place brilliantly.  

There’s an inspiring tone to hold yourself to on Dogs in Heaven. All the Good Men makes it clear that confidence in yourself is not enough. It will get you some way to success, but you’ve got to be filled with deceit and clarity few people hold. Dogs in Heaven can stand tall next to the booming alternative rock scene in the UK at the moment. Silver Gore is a name worth taking down. Put them into your playlists, rally around the warmth of a song like Forever. They offer enough variety across this EP, and crucially, find a sound for themselves. Silver Gore finds their niche and is already sounding unafraid to defy it, as clear a sign of success as you can get for a group just starting out. Celestial Intervention has that softer flourish which most artists are trying to touch on, yet few are finding.  

Silver Gore does well to get themselves over the line and into an instrumental territory which sounds strong enough away from genre expectations, and also builds them as a new creative force. Some essential listens to be found within this piece, repeatable, endlessly listenable spots of quality. Gore’s voice is sensational, and the instrumental efforts, that reliance on a thick and heavy bassline with the screeches of city living embedded within, a delightful mixture. EP closer 25 Metres is a sign of things to come. It’s cooler to say a band are your favourite before they make it big. Get your foot in the door now. An inspiring double act releasing six truly strong songs is a rarity, but it happens. Dogs in Heaven happened.