With their mesmerising new offering ‘Live In London’, 5th PROJEKT present a live recording that focuses on mood, space and collective performance. Recorded live-off-the-floor at The Sugar Shack in London, Ontario, the five-track release strips their sound back to its essentials while still preserving the layered atmosphere that has defined much of the band’s work to date.
Across the EP, elements of psychedelic rock, shoegaze, gothic ambience and experimental post-rock are blended into a sound that feels immersive without becoming overly dense. And throughout the release, the band allow the natural interplay between instruments to shape the emotional movement of the collection.
Opening track ‘Oblivion’ establishes the slow-burning pace that defines much of the release. The arrangement is patient and spacious, with Tara Rice delivering vocals that feel understated yet emotionally present, with her performance sitting naturally within the surrounding textures of guitars, bass and percussion.
The EP’s strongest quality is its sense of cohesion. Each track transitions naturally into the next, creating the impression of a continuous performance throughout. ‘Incantation’ builds around ambient fretwork and subtle rhythmic repetition, while ‘The Labyrinth’ introduces more urgency through layered percussion and shifting dynamics without losing the hypnotic atmosphere established earlier in the set.
Then ‘Shapeshifter’ moves into darker territory, driven by dense bass tones and heavier shoegaze influences, though the band remain careful not to overcrowd the arrangement. Even during its louder moments, ‘Live In London’ maintains a sense of restraint and clarity that allows the textures to breathe.
Closing track ‘The Pace’ offers a fitting conclusion, leaning into a steady motorik rhythm and gradual melodic release. It brings a sense of resolution without dramatically changing the tone of the EP, reinforcing its focus on immersion and continuity as it plays.
As a live document, ‘Live In London’ leaves quite the impression because it captures their ability to create a fully realised atmosphere without relying on excess. It is a measured, immersive release that highlights the strength of the group’s chemistry and their commitment to building emotional space through sound.