• Thriller

Kinsley - Ghosts

With their latest EP Ghosts, Kinsley—comprising lifelong friends Adam Staley (drums, vocals, programming, production) and Christopher Jones (guitars, vocals)—have sculpted a richly textured sonic experience that sits somewhere between experimental post-grunge and slow-burning alternative rock. Clocking in at just over 15 minutes, this three-track release manages to pull listeners into a world of dark and sinister soundscapes, interlaced with nostalgic grit and a forward-thinking creative edge that’s hard to pin down yet easy to get lost in. The opening track, “Cothran,” introduces itself with a sense of eerie patience. Thick, ambient layers swell beneath restrained guitar tones before erupting into a wall of ethereal distortion that wouldn’t feel out of place in a late-90s David Fincher film. The track captures that slow-motion, almost dreamlike pacing found in the best of post-grunge, while keeping one foot firmly planted in modern experimental territory. Kinsley’s overlapping yet contrasting vocal melody lines twist like smoke trails in a cold room, adding emotional complexity to the otherwise brooding instrumental foundation. From there, the EP takes a more electrified turn with “Catamount.” This track hits like a shot of adrenaline, injecting a dose of electronica-infused energy into the EP without compromising its mood. It nods unapologetically to the harder alt-rock of the late ‘90s, echoing bands like Breaking Benjamin or even Chevelle, yet never settles into formula. Pulsing synths and jagged guitar riffs churn together inside a carefully crafted stereo field, each element deliberately positioned to give the track a vivid dynamic range. The beat hits hard, but there’s always a lurking sense of melancholy just beneath the surface. The final and title track, “Ghosts,” brings everything full circle—tonally, emotionally, and sonically. This slower, more introspective piece highlights Kinsley’s songwriting potential at its most refined. It’s a haunted lullaby of sorts, unafraid to linger in quiet moments and pull listeners inward. As reverberating guitar lines trail off into the void, the vocals carry a gentle but weighty presence—less about leading the melody and more about embodying the atmosphere. It’s easy to imagine this track playing over the end credits of an indie slasher like The Clovehitch Killer or during a surreal dream sequence in something like Channel Zero. From a production standpoint, Ghosts is impressively cohesive. The mix is lush but unpretentious, with every texture and frequency placed purposefully. Kinsley’s ability to shift from blistering distortion to quiet vulnerability without losing momentum or clarity is a testament to their years of playing together—and to Adam Staley’s production instincts in particular. Hailing from a bond that began in elementary school, Kinsley’s musical synergy is undeniable. Their journey through the indie music scene feels authentic and earned. Ghosts is not just a showcase of sound, but of friendship and shared vision—an EP that respects its influences while carving out something uniquely theirs. Read More

• 2025
• 15 h : 45 min