Dulldrums Explore Loss and Renewal Through Six Tracks on “It Was The Past” EP

Dulldrums approach the past with a mixture of melancholy, experimentation, and quiet hope on their six-track debut EP, “It Was The Past.” The Manchester-based husband-and-wife duo, Matt and Rachel, turn familiar feelings of loss and regret into an intimate collection shaped by their transition from the demands of their former band, Mewn, towards a more flexible creative partnership.

Their self-described “dream folk” sound brings classical guitar into conversation with hazy synthesizers, understated percussion and indie-rock textures. Rachel’s classical guitar work gives the material a distinct foundation, while Matt moves between lead guitar and synth. Their decision to abandon an early electric-guitar approach in favour of a more layered recording process allows the arrangements to develop beyond the limitations of their spare-room beginnings.

Working with producer and engineer Shane, the pair recorded individual parts to a click, creating arrangements that sometimes differed from their original ideas. That willingness to follow unexpected results gives the EP an exploratory character. Its influences range from Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell to The Velvet Underground and Radiohead, though the challenge is ensuring those references serve a coherent identity of their own.

The title track stands out as the project's most ambitious statement. Extending beyond seven minutes, it uses a sustained, single-note guitar drone, played with a screwdriver, to create a hypnotic centre. The approach is unusual, although its success depends on patience with repetition and gradual development. The closing track “Carry You On” provides a welcome emotional shift, moving towards hope after the record's recurring reflections on regret.

“It Was The Past” succeeds through its willingness to leave imperfections and uncertainty exposed. Dulldrums offers a thoughtful debut that treats moving forward as a gradual process, not an easy escape from memory.