Pale Saints - Flesh Balloon EP

The Pale Saints' 1991 Flesh Balloon was the first single the band released after its excellent and experimental debut album. The band scaled back its ambition and noise levels for the EP but dialled up the emotion. "Hunted" appeared on the fine In Ribbons album in 1992 and it is an epically melancholic track that is lush and lovely, depending more on shadings and feeling rather than sonic assault. "Porpoise" is a charming bit of filler that utilizes a skittering drum machine rhythm and spacy guitars to create a weird hybrid of shoegaze and lounge music. The bubbly sweet "Kinky Love" is a dreamy cover of a 1976 Nancy Sinatra tune featuring new band member Meriel Barham on vocals. The demo of "Hair Shoes" (the rerecorded version appears on In Ribbons) is similar to the finished version but is still interesting. Fans of the band, and anyone who is even slightly a fan of the shoegaze sound should be, ought to look high and low for this great EP. "Kinky Love" alone is worth whatever you end up paying.

Released in 1991, the Flesh Balloon EP captures Pale Saints at a fascinating crossroads. It marks the moment the 4AD stalwarts began to shed the jagged, manic energy of their debut, The Comforts of Madness, in favour of something more expansive and velvet-toned. The introduction of Meriel Barham (formerly of Lush) is the catalyst here, providing a vocal counterpoint that pulled the band away from the feedback-laden "noise-pop" camp and firmly into the realm of ethereal dream-pop.

The EP’s centerpiece is undoubtedly their cover of Nancy Sinatra’s "Kinky Love." It is a masterclass in atmosphere, replacing the original’s 1970s kitsch with a shimmering, slow-motion haze. Barham’s vocal delivery is breathy and detached, floating over a production that feels both intimate and cavernous. For many fans, this track remains the definitive version of the song, serving as a blueprint for the "sophisti-pop" leanings that would later define their second album, In Ribbons.

While "Kinky Love" grabs the headlines, the supporting tracks offer a glimpse into the band's experimental range. "Hunted" is a standout of melancholic beauty, driven by Ian Masters’ fragile vocals and a bassline that anchors the swirling guitars. "Porpoise," meanwhile, leans into a peculiar, rhythmic lounge vibe, showing that the band wasn't afraid to step outside the standard shoegaze template. Even the demo version of "Hair Shoes" included here feels essential, offering a rawer, more skeletal look at their songwriting process.

Ultimately, Flesh Balloon is more than just a stop-gap release; it is a cohesive atmospheric statement. It successfully bridged the gap between the band's chaotic beginnings and their more polished future, proving they could be just as impactful with a whisper as they were with a wall of sound. Though brief, it remains a high-water mark for the 4AD label and a mandatory listen for anyone exploring the foundations of 90s alternative dream-pop.

Ripped to MP3

A1. Hunted

A2. Porpoise

B1. Kinky Love

B2. Hair Shoes (Demo)