Ghost Bookstore moved quickly in 2024 with three singles before an EP combining these singles and four new songs. Ghost Bookstore is an exploratory gaze into the band’s favored genres.
My first introduction was with the first single “Children with Starry Blood.” I thought that Ghost Bookstore would dive into shoegaze and emo rock. But the EP contains more genre variety than I expected. “Firefly” is a cross between math rock and indie rock. It relies on a very precise drum rhythm that’s supported by a moving baseline. The guitar provides some accents. The track is light and structurally song while also sounding slightly fragile.
“Sue” is a midwestern emo and indie rock track. The light melody that’s slightly buried behind the guitar distortion offers a perfect sandwich of sonics. Sue Kim‘s vocals are light and feel like a glue between the instruments. “Growing Pains” returns to the sound that “Firefly” presented. I like the sound but I feel like it needs little more weight compared to other songs.
Then “Spring Song” is a sibling to “Sue” with a hybridization of “Firefly” and “Growing Pains” in the song’s introduction. It combines the math rock elements before transitioning into indie rock. A standout on “Spring Song” is Mus1qu_el. The drumming on the track is both complex and uplifting. The percussion makes the song more than a simple rock track.
The self-titled song of the self-titled EP, “Ghost Bookstore,” is an excellent introduction. “Ghost Bookstore” combines all the unique elements from the four previous songs into a new experience that fits within Ghost Bookstore’s world. Personally though, “Children with Starry Blood” is my favorite song. There’s a bigger presence and weight on that track with the heavier mix and walls of distortion on every verse.
Using “Sailor” as the outro is a great choice because it’s a little more minimalist compared to the other songs and manipulating a lot more layers in the song’s mix. It highlights that Ghost Bookstore isn’t a single style or idea but an evolving sound that grows from a core foundation. Ghost Bookstore is one of the best EPs of 2024.
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Written by Chris P for Korean Indie.
