7inch Sunday is a segment devoted entirely to 7” vinyl and the all-encompassing experience surrounding it. Although most publications cover major releases, the vinyl single is often overlooked and given nothing more than a half-hearted nod of acknowledgement. This weekly feature is a hub for 7” reviews, exploring the B-sides and rarities of artists that may often go unnoticed.
Each Sunday I will review 7” vinyl from artists who venture this extra mile to hold their singles high above the sea of digital releases. I hope to embody the spirit of vinyl while sharing some fantastic music with you, the reader. Let’s get started.
When watching Fishing’s recently-released video for “Choy Lin,” a boatload (pun intended) of feelings run rampant. Aside from being a logistical nightmare of a Google search, Fishing utilize a unique variation of collage video art to parallel a brand of music equally hypnotic. Nestled in the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, Australia, this duo crafted their drifting soundscapes to the rhythms of the South Pacific.
Melodrama aside, Fishing has seriously wowed us with the short-lived seven minutes that constitute Choy Lin. Utilizing a screenshot from the aforementioned video as the cover, the image is an intriguing blend of a serene landscape interrupted by an ambiguously oblong shape commandeering focus. Likewise, the two tracks on this single take steady grooves and merge them with sample blips that tastefully interrupt the constancy that previously would devolve into stagnation.
The eponymous A-side has a hint of eastern influence with what sounds like vocal samplings from The Knife’s Olaf Dreijer. The indiscernible words coming from the anonymous vocalist contribute to the grand goal of the track rather than give it a leading centerpiece. There is never a moment of pause nor acknowledgement of contentment; the group constantly evolves the work into the synth-laden fadeout.
“White Sheet Beach,” the B-side of the single, kicks off with a surprisingly emotional 8-bit keyboard bit. More static than its predecessor, this track is more unpredictable and varied in instrumentation. It’s melody is quickly recognizable and even gives us a run for our money with the challenging rhythmic groupings of the final bars. Fishing have set a very high bar for future releases, and we are excited to see what else these guys have in store.
Check back next week for a look at Saturday Looks Good to Me’s Sunglasses.
We're looking for writers and editors to join the team. Interested? Apply today!
Let’s Be Friends!