SALT are more than a band, they’re an experience. Being unrestrictive in their inspirations for music, their sound is more varied and explorative than any other. Deep from the underground, they bring the choicest selection of sounds, melodies and harmonies. In this search, there is a sound they have found that is truly theirs. This is an epitome of their musicality, Fairytale on Fire. 

Packed with 15 songs, this is a band that is prolific and productive while writing. Their experiences dictate the lyrics, sound and execution of the songs. Halo opens the album, with a Pixies like sound, with The Cranberries featuring on the vocals and melody strains. It is a catchy and swinging opening to this album. Boxcar gives you the hard rock kick that would be the caffeinated IV. It layers some cool guitar riffage with the vocals, now modulating to a more aggressive tone. Three songs in with The Sea Wakes, you hear the origami fan they create with their sound. Though no 2 songs are similar, you know it’s the same band. The dreamy sound is a middle between a post punk and post rock sound. It has some powerful melody elements as well-elevating the sound with ease.

The SALT you need

The title track comes next, and has a soft opening, as you’d expect. A sensational flow of tone crystallizes the theme, psychedelic lyrics punctuating the arrangement. There is a sense of ebb and flow in this kind of song, building to an immense cascade. Clip That Girls Wings is a rebellious afterthought. It sails on golden winds as a sound, a plainer set of lyrics with some magic sprinkled over the instrumentals. SALT treats each song as another book, infatuating you with the protagonists and their lives. It is an immense ability most bands don’t even try to achieve. Tumbleweed has the bluesy core a break in track needs. With a bass led verse section, the peppered in chord blows by, changing the tone from the previous songs. The fuzzy tone perfectly fits the tone they want in a song like this. A country smoke fills the space with songs like Cold White Hands. SALT want you in their van, driving across the world, experiencing sounds as cultures. 

Dissolving boundaries

These sound travellers don’t ever take it easy. The lean into the psychedelic is more with Dust. The soothing vocals are entrancing, like a parasol of fairy dust that showers on you constantly. Suffocate has a kick of a Rasta song, yet grooves within the rock biosphere. The tones and transitions are immaculate, bringing the essence of the song plain to your ears.

You get soft rock like Broken Toys, while being enveloped by rock, blues, country and even pop. SALT are seekers for something more that has to come, and it’s safe to say they have found it in their discography. The proof was always in the pudding. 

Whether it be a party or a cross-country drive, it is essential to understand the impression a band like this leaves. From adventure movies like Into the Wild to The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Lost, this band caters for way too many visuals to name. Their latest album Cellophane is an experience that you will never forget. Few bands can change the world. Some bands like SALT, are already on the way to.