Short Reviews [Head with Wings - 2021 - "Comfort in Illusion" [Expanded Edition]]

There is no doubt in my mind that American proggers Head With Wings are one of the most interesting, polished and refined bands to come out in the last few years, and their latest EP yet again demonstrates that. I was sent the EP by a PR company, but not long afterwards I was contacted by singer Josh Corum to see if I wanted it, and he offered me the expanded edition as well as the standard, so that is the one I have been playing and is the one everyone should be rushing out to buy (checking on Bandcamp, the digital version is available for just $5 USD, surely the bargain of the year). I first came across the band when I was sent an advance track of a Drifting Sun album a while back which featured Josh, and his vocals just blew me away, as they still do. This led to me investigating his own band, and while Josh is a standout singer, he is part of a band comprised of standout musicians. The line-up is Andrew Testa (drums), Brandon Cousino (guitars), Steve Hill (bass), Mike Short (guitars) and of course Joshua providing all vocals. The original EP was three tracks and seventeen minutes long, but the extended version stretches to 53 minutes in length, containing instrumental versions of the songs, plus a remix of each by Vikram Shankar. This allows us to hear the music in quite different ways, adding real depth. It was interesting to hear the songs without Josh, as these more than justify their existence without vocals, displaying a hidden beauty which is sometimes masked by the singer, but is always there. They have obviously been influenced by the likes of Porcupine Tree and Pineapple Thief, and what makes this EP really work is the sheer musicality of everything displayed, no matter how it has been recut and remixed. Each of the musicians has a major part to play, and it has been interesting to listen to this concentrating on a different instrument each time to define what is the most important element. At times when I am convinced it is the guitars and the way they switch moods, or that wonderfully fluid bass, or the drums which can be dynamic and driving or are having an impact by not playing at all, which just demonstrates the depth within this. On top of that there is Josh, who has one of the purest and least strained voices around, perfectly finding the space to make his presence felt and lifting the songs to even greater heights. This is music to be played on headphones, and to be lost inside, allowing the sounds to take us o a journey which is magical and unhurried. The production and arrangements are such that one finds it hard to believe this is an independent outfit, such is its style and grace. If you have yet to come across this wonderful band, then this is a bargain way to discover a prog act with a great deal to offer.