Ghostplay – Zelpha (Album Review)

Today’s review features the new album Zelpha by the band Ghostplay, an experimental ambient electronic rock band based out of Sacramento, California, USA. The band says its influences are Snowden, Deerhunter, Exploded View, Diiv, and The Knife. Ghostplay combines ambient ethereal music with surf noir to come up with it’s own unique sonic landscape.

Ghostplay’s music “transports listeners to mysterious, cinematic landscapes where tension and tranquility coalesce.” (One Sheet). The band has previously released an EP titled “33” in 2015. This new album Zelpha just came out in late 2024. On the new album, the band collaborated with producer/engineer Monte Vallier of the band Swell, and Ruminator Audio in San Francisco, CA. The band’s sound is a mix of dream pop and experimental rock unleashed in ethereal soundscapes.

So let’s have a listen …

The album starts with the song “Z”. It kicks off with a slow “pulsating” riff. Not particularly heavy, but rock. Enters an arpeggiated guitar riff and the dreamy reverb-drenched vocals. Interesting guitar motif. The main riff going back and forth between two chords gives way when the chorus finally hits. I would like the vocals to be louder and clearer, they sort of melt into the song’s mix currently, barely decipherable. It’s a nice song.

“Opaque,” the second song on the album, kicks off with an ethereal female voice over a steady drum beat and an ambient soundscape. My guess is that the female vocals are not meant to be heard or understood. This song has a swirling sound, finally a lead guitar enters playing simple phrases. The song is drenched in heavy reverb and is very ethereal.

The third song on the album is titled “Bang Bang.” It starts with an ethereal keyboard riff and a heavy driving bass line. The guitar enters with a surf noir sound. Dreamy, heavily-effected, male vocals enter the mix, again not very loud or understandable, but they help make the ethereal soundscape. Pleasant enough to listen to, reminds me a bit of Tame Impala.

“Sandcastle” is the fourth song on the album kicks off with a steady drumbeat and a downward cascading delayed guitar riff. The male vocals are clearer and more understandable in this song. The chorus kicks in with a message about a “Sandcastle washing out to sea.” I do like the consistent movement of and sound of the rhythm guitar in this song. The vocals and lyrics in this song remind me a little of The Flaming Lips.

The fifth song on the album is called “Kindness” and kicks off with a driving repetitive keyboard chord riff. I like the heavier doom sound of the guitars which enter just before the male vocals kick in. The vocals in this song have a Pink Floyd type feel. I like the chorus breaks in this song, interesting chord arrangement. This song is sort of slow, tempo-wise.

“You’ll Be Gone” is the sixth song on the album. It starts off with a campy keyboard riff over drums and bass. The guitar has a western cinematic sound playing simple arpeggiated notes drenched in heavy-reverb. I love the sound of the guitar riff that enters in between the verses/vocals. The song takes flight. I hear the sound of bells being played in sync with the guitar lines. Interesting song, maybe my favorite so far on the album.

“Less Is More” starts off with a slow, steady reverb-drenched drum beat. This vocals sounds similar to Tame Impala, particularly in the way effects are used on the vocals. Here, the vocalist has a very nice upper register. Very dreamscape sound.

The eighth song on the album is called “Only”. It starts off with a jangly guitar riff soon joined by a thumping bass line and drums. A keyboard playing staccato chords enters with the male vocals. The vocals in this song remind me a little bit of Kings of Leon in their phrasing and sound. The song takes an interesting turn when the chorus finally arrives. The punchy keyboard riff under the vocals in the verses is cool. I like the chord arrangement in the pre-chorus and chorus. Another good ambient song.

“Bombshells” is the ninth song on the album. Starts with an arpeggiated two chord guitar riff. I like the jangly reverb-y sound of the main guitar. The vocals are mixed to blend with the track and do add to the ambient sound, but I do wish they were louder and more understandable. In the middle, there’s a bass solo – enter an ambient keyboard holding out a single note. And we’re back into the meat of the song driving toward its finish. Imagine if Kings of Leon and Tame Impala had a band child, then think Ghostplay.

The final song on the album is “Drift” and it starts off with a staccato heavily-effected keyboard riff, followed by a simple melodic keyboard line. The vocals are again mixed in to create an ambient reverb-heavy feel to the track. This is a long song, punching in at over 6 minutes. But true to it’s name, the song and particularly the circular movement of the keyboard chord progression do make you feel like you’re drifting. It’s hard to understand the words, but the vocals do match the soundscape of the song. The vocals seem to have more emotion attached in this song. I like the laser and space-type sound effects towards the end of the song.

SCORE/Excellent: If you’re into ambient soundscapes, this is an excellent album from Ghostplay. I hear a few of my favorite psych rock bands in the band’s sound. The vocals could be clearer at times, but I love the higher register of the singer’s vocals, and they fit very well into the overall soundscape. This band paints lovely sound pictures. A very lovely listen for your next party! Much love, Beth

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

Follow Ghostplay On:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Visit Website