LA-based outfit IRESS is back with a brand new track, “In Reverse,” combining elements of metal, shoegaze, and slowcore.
Known for their ambitious, layered, and sludgy compositions, IRESS first made waves with their 2015 debut album Prey. After a hiatus, they returned in 2020 with their sophomore album Flaw, followed by last year’s EP Solace and a pair of singles earlier this year. Now, they’re gearing up for the release of their highly anticipated album Sleep Now, In Reverse, out on July 26, 2024, via Church Road Records (ROW) and Dune Altar (USA).
“In Reverse” showcases the band’s heavy atmospherics and frontwoman Michelle Malley’s sweeping vocals. The track begins as a shadowy ballad, gradually descending into a storm of grunge guitars and thundering drums.
Malley’s voice, often described as a decadent siren call, floats above the instrumental chaos, blending aggression with textured, moody elements. The song epitomizes the band’s ability to fuse intricate rhythms with haunting vocal melodies.
“This song really unifies all of our different tastes,” says the band. “’In Reverse’ began with a simple verse melody but transformed into something I never expected—dare I say a mathy grunge ballad? This one really checks all the boxes when it comes to what kind of music we want to create.”
IRESS draws inspiration from a wide range of artists, creating a sound that is both unique and deeply influenced by their musical heroes.
DRAB MAJESTY’s album The Demonstration has been a profound influence on the band. “The reverb, the dramatic pace, and the experimental moments are seductive and moving,” they explain. “It exudes a timeless quality, which is exactly the vibe we aim for in our own music.”
BEACH HOUSE has also left a significant mark on IRESS’s latest work. “The use of synths and vocal harmonies in their music has been a major influence on our new record. Their music never ceases to impress and move us.”
The latest release from SLOWDIVE, everything is alive, inspired IRESS with its wispy, dreamy, and ethereal qualities. “We’ve integrated a similar sound texture into our new songs, layering countless vocal harmonies over a massive sound wall of guitars.”
MRS. PISS’s debut album Self Surgery remains iconic to the band. “It has a dark, sultry, and industrial feel. They seamlessly blend different music genres and styles into a compelling work of art. That’s exactly what we aimed for when creating Sleep Now, In Reverse.”’
Finally, KING WOMAN’s Celestial Blues provides an intense and unfiltered mix of softness, intensity, and emotion. “I am drawn to music with this kind of raw power that moves me to my core and it will continue to inspire our own heavy and experimental sound.”
With these inspirations and a lot more, IRESS continues to evolve, always exploring new dimensions in their sound.
With Sleep Now, In Reverse, they invite listeners into a realm where darkness and beauty intertwine. The band’s chemistry translates seamlessly to their live performances, leaving audiences stunned to silence, moved to tears, and immersed in a satisfying amount of crushing distortion.
Their upcoming album promises to be a cinematic crescendo that swells with intensity and wanes with sorrow. Frontwoman Michelle Malley, dubbed “the Adele of Doom” by LA music peers, leads the charge with her vocals ranging from smoky warmth to anguished belting. The band, including bassist Michael Maldonado, drummer Glenn Chu, and guitarist Graham Walker, creates an intriguing blend of darkness and beauty.
With an international touring schedule in 2024, IRESS is set to make a profound impact on the music scene. As Decibel Magazine aptly puts it, “One of the most mesmerizing vocalists in heavy music, Michelle Malley.
Her raw, yearning howl is prone to foundational cracks that only underscore its authenticity.” CVLT Nation adds, “There’s an ethereal quality to IRESS’ music that makes me feel like I’m floating in an energetic primordial ocean, being called to my next journey by a voice made of pure light.”
Upcoming tour dates
Sat, Jun 22 – Los Angeles – Lodge Room Highland Park#
10 Aug – Southampton at Papillon*
13 Aug – Manchester at Rebellion^
14 Aug – Brighton – Dust (Chalk)^
15 Aug – Sheffield – Corporation^
16 Aug – Bristol – Arctangent Festival
17 Aug – Nottingham – Old Salutation Inn
18 Aug – London – The Black Heart ’ ‘
20 Aug – Burmingham – The Victoria
21 Aug – Exeter – The Cavern~
22 Aug – Bournemouth – Anvil~
23 Aug – Leicester – The Big Difference~
*w Green Lung
^w Hexvessel
‘ ‘w Sunnata
~w Kulk
