With a plethora of bands now making relatively decent music in the once meagre ambient/instrumental genre, it takes something a little bit special to really stand out from the crowd. Not to be confused with another Dublin ambient group, the similarly named and arguably superior Halves, Halfset don't make it clear if they meet this criteria on first listen, as ultimately there is nothing hugely striking or new on offer here.
However, these ten soothing atmospheric tracks blend acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards, synths and strings to create music you can really switch your brain off to. Clearly influenced by Mogwai's quieter "Rock Action" era, Halfset mix dense instrumentation with electronic beats on an album that is, for the most part, mellow yet buoyant and uplifting.
Firm believers in the phrase "less is more," Halfset are predominantly instrumental, and on the rare occasion that vocals are used, they are soft and unpretentious, complimented by equally soft and simple harmonies to a subtle yet effective end. Tracks like Rhodes/Bells/Vibes juxtapose plinking harp with understated guitar while Desire Lines is the real highlight as its light and quirky opening melts into sophisticated, sultry and solemn string arrangements, soon to be punctuated by pounding drums and warped electronics.
Though at times it can drag a little, Another Way of Being There contains enough melodious and thoughtful music to create 50 minutes of pleasant and charming listening.
