EP Review: Blonder – ‘Crystal Ball’

Constantine Anastasakis or, as you’ll get to know him, Blonder creates an immersive world of psych-pop on new EP ‘Crystal Ball’.

50 second intro ‘Island’ opens the EP with reverb heavy guitars and warped, fuzzy synths taking your mind out of the real world and into the deep end of Constantine’s psychedelic fantasy. 

‘Crystal Ball’ continues in more chilled tones of aethereal, low-fi beats and futuristic grooves, diving deeper into Blonder’s new-found psych-rock inspired sound. His vocals always floating overhead as if on an out-of-body experience. What stands out are the EP’s extremely impressive instrumentals, especially on title track ‘Crystal Ball’, that draw you in with hypnotic riffs and intoxicating rhythms.

Lyrically, the EP deals with themes of sobriety, substance abuse and romance. All finding a home in poetically eloquent language – “Help me inhale and we’ll float around, hand out on clouds and we’ll never come down.” (‘Glue’)

‘Crystal Ball’ amazingly delivers on its promise to be an “immersive experience”. Listening to this collection of songs feels like diving into an alternate universe, so close your eyes and come along.

Words by Laura Freyaldenhoven

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