Taking the Hourglass is an indie pop band of sorts led by married couple Ilseuk and Rachel Masuda – two of the most passionate musicians I’ve met. They have a high work ethic and aren’t afraid to network with everyone they meet and aim high. They took a huge risk, going on a cross country tour in support of their debut EP Lost For Words.
The first thing I noticed is the professionalism poured into the production of the EP. They have a strong product right out of the gates. They are aiming for the masses – who aren’t likely to dig a more rough, DIY sounding EP. For what they’re going for, this is a big plus.
The second thing I noticed is the marked contrast between Ilseuk and Rachel’s vocals. They have chemistry for sure, but my opinion wavers on how well they complement each other. Ilseuk’s bass vocals seem well suited for an industrial rock record, not a pop record. Yet I was surprised by how he was able to make them work in the context of their songs (more on that later). Rachel’s vocals are strong, clear, and match the charisma she shows onstage. “A Brand New Thought” is a song where I go from feeling slightly uncertain about the harmonies between the two to being impressed by the guitar riffs and quality of the songwriting.
“Endless” is the dark horse of the album while “Battle” is the obvious single. “Endless” takes the vocals of Ilseuk, which aren’t really poppy in a conventional sense, and matches them with a pulsating, booming electronic beat. Brooding vocals for a brooding track. The track has a thrilling climax in the form of simple yet effective electronic breakdown followed by a fade out of Rachel’s vocals. In contrast, “Battle” has the most instantly recognizable hook of the EP, which is why I peg it as the single. Electronic backtracking live give another dimension to what is otherwise a straightforward pop rock track.
Taking the Hourglass are still finding their niche musically, and they will get there. However, few bands in the pop realm start off with a debut release this strong, especially while retaining an independent status.
Love “Battle.” Should be on every radio station in the country.