EP Review – Slowmove – Haven

Allow me to introduce you to Slowmove. No it’s not another Band Interview Of The Day post, this is a new EP you have to get listening to. Influenced by Pixes, Weezer, Tigers Jaw and more, the members have all been part of various bands over the years but now they wanted to concentrate and contribute on a different genre they all love.

Recorded intermittently over the last year, the band have dropped the EP which is available to listen to right now.

In addition, both music videos they have released were filmed by members of the band David and Kat who make up Dai Tan Films.

Now going into the EP, we’re kicking things off with Behind Closed Doors. Now this track does exactly what it says on the tin where the progression of the track moves past what you think you’ll expect from the band right from the very start where the vocal harmonisation mixes better than your average track to great appeal.

Now taking a slightly different approach for ‘Here And Now’, this is a slightly slower paced than the rest of the EP but is reminiscent of Milk Teeth’s ‘Swear Jar’ in a way, at least that’s the way I hear things. Persistently here though, it’s a very notable earworm that’ll you’ll want to come back to again and again.

With the penultimate track, this is a very different approach to most bands where it is just an instrumental track. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good change of pace to most tracks where you can truly hear everything that’s going and so that the band can get to grips with a whole lot more without being dragged down and when they do play this live, I’m sure it’ll be a lot of fun for the crowd to watch.

Lastly we have Haven.The title track lives up to the expectation which has been set. While most title tracks currently disappoint, this one doesn’t because of the added layer of the psychedelic rock nature with a sprinkle of the gothic nature to make the track stand out just that much more.

haven – the title track lives up to the expectation that it’s set. while out title track currently disappoint, there’s an added layer of the psychedelic and a little gothic rock nature to it that makes the track just stand out that much more

Overall, what’s been produced here is above the norm for bands on their first release (where the members have learned from their past projects) and there’s a definite impact that it will have, especially with the gigs to be had in the near future but I can’t help but feel the EP is missing just a little substance help elevate the overall feel of the body of work as a whole. On the other hand, this is damn fun to listen to.

Rating:3/5.

Be sure to check out the Music Videos for ‘Here And Now’ and ‘Haven’ below and listen to the EP via Spotify.

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EP Review – Drug Church – TAWNY

Everyone’s favourite punk rock agitators, Drug Church, have returned. The band have released Tawny: a new four-song EP due out June 25th from Pure Noise Records that acts as a bridge from their 2018 LP, Cheer, to Drug Church‘s impending fourth full-length. Cheer was acclaimed by both fans and critics alike (including praise from the likes of Stereogum, Noisey, Revolver, BrooklynVegan, and more), and with Tawny the band push their blend of hardcore aggression and massive, ’90s-indebted hooks even further.

The tittle track ‘Tawny’ showcased guitars and pummeling drums with an anthemic climax that hints at the band’s ever-expanding songwriting toolbox. Never one to flinch at the darker corners of the human condition, vocalist Patrick Kindlon’s lyrics remain as vitriolic as ever. “People are so happy to not be in the guillotine, they’ll cheer at anyone else’s execution,” he says. “I’ve about had it with that.”

Tawny is comprised of Drug Church‘s crushing 2020 single “Bliss Out,” a cover of Arcwelder’s “Remember To Forget,” and two brand new songs, “Tawny” and “Head-Off,” which feature some of the band’s most dynamic songwriting to date. The tracks build on the most melodic moments of Cheer without losing any of the bite and energy that has made Drug Church so appealing to fans of heavy and catchy music alike. “Head-Off” opens the EP and immediately makes it clear that the band aren’t content to rest on their laurels. The song begins with a driving beat from drummer Chris Villeneuve while guitarists Nick Cogan and Cory Galusha weave unexpectedly shimmering guitar lines overtop of Pat Wynne’s propulsive bass; even Kindlon’s customary roar has taken a turn, with layered vocals and the singer’s cadences at their most instantly hooky. All of these melodic moments only serve to make Drug Church‘s sound even more combustable, and “Head-Off” and “Tawny” both erupt into immensely satisfying blasts of powerhouse guitars and Kindlon’s sardonic bark.

The EP closes with Drug Church‘s taut rendition of the Arcwelder song “Remember To Forget,” which again highlights the band’s growing melodicism while also nodding to their willingness to carry the torch for stubbornly outsider guitar music. “You don’t need to be the world’s best band to write a perfect song,” Kindlon says. “Arcwelder are guys who like playing guitar music. They had some small success at it. Still, this song has been in my head for a long time. And that’s a type of success that doesn’t get measured. We’re all gonna be erased when the sun expands. Chasing fame makes you dumber than you are.”
Tawny is just the beginning of the surprises Drug Church have up their sleeve, and luckily, with LP4 coming soon, listeners won’t have to wait long to hear more. 

Starting off with the track ‘Head-off’, it’s a brilliant start where the melody is brought right into the mix, albeit something a little tame, especially considering what you hear on the next track in the title track ‘TAWNY’, which is just amped up by 1000x to give you something raw from the deepest part of Drug Church’s souls.

Bliss out does anything but, it’s more of an interlude but heavy and heartfelt with a lovely rhythm to go right alongside this stunning EP.

This closing cover track from the outset is something massively different to start with. It’s more soulful than anything to which then rips into this stunning melody as if an angel appears to you, fitting as some of the lyrics which touch on this deal with belief.. There’s no denying it, the cover is stunning.

Overall, my thoughts are if that this is what Drug Church are capable of producing with an EP, then I have complete faith that their next record will be a smash, an all out assault is what it will be.

Rating:5/5.

Orders for ‘Tawny’ can be made via the following link.

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EP Review – NO:IR – Are We Really Alive?

Since their debut in 2019, Bristol-based Nu-Metal five-piece NO:IR have evolved their sound from their hardcore roots to create a modern fusion from a host of genres. They take deep inspiration – and their name, from Film Noir, often characterised by cynicism, intricate plots and existential philosophy. 

Conveying themes of depression, anxiety, ego, addiction, distrust and unity, Are We Really Alive? sees NO:IR examining their own identity; holding up a mirror to the band’s own anxieties and addictions and questioning their honesty and integrity.

“Reality has become distorted as media manipulates people to behave a certain way, compliance is natural and identity is fragile. We have become distracted by the high intensity and anxiety of modern life and our own individualism and honesty has been lost to trends and conformity”, the band state.
Prior to the release of the EP comes their next single and accompanying music video Spineless, due for release June 1st. The track explores the anger and frustration around trying to navigate through the intensity of misinformation and difficulty finding your own identity while authority wants to dilute authenticity.

“‘In the face of the ones who don’t give a shit, in a space and a place where we don’t exist, we’re down for the fight we will resist’ shows a distaste of how people like us (alternative personalities, creatives, musicians etc.) are overlooked, and how we are a very strong group of individuals who will resist being mistreated. ‘There’s venom in my veins, a new drug to numb the pain’ is a nod to the culture of musicians taking substances just to ‘numb’ overwhelming feelings or personal accounts of facing addiction”, explains lyricist Evvi.

Opening the EP up with ‘If this is living’, it’s a creepy and alluring stretch of atmosphere in the exact calm before the storm you’d expect before descending into chaos.

Next up with ‘Demons’, the reveal is a catchy, pointing and damnned good blend of genres to bring out the heavier aspects of the band into full force to bring about inspiration and honestly quite awakening. It’s a mix that on paper shouldn’t work particularly well but works in harmony with each other. Plus, the ending of the track maxes up the creep factor to give off a true spine chilling vibe to the maximum.

With Spineless, it’s a little bit of a misnomer in that it’s anything but. What it is however is a ferocious and hard hitting track from start to finish and one you don’t want to stop for anything. Twisting through the time signature, the styling changes up a little in Spineless where it’s anything but. It delivers a ferocious and hard hitting track from start to finish that sets up the tone for future moshpits that won’t stop.

Benefitting from the runtime it currently has, Phantom offers up a little something different. Taking a step down from the previous tracks and opting for a more vocally clear and mellow, it’s a perfect breather for the EP while still keeping in with the bands ethos and builds on what you heard previously in ‘Demons’. It’s exactly what you need to be listening to right now with the tone leading to hardly a moment of reprieve.

The same can be said for ‘I Need U (Like I Need A Hole In My Head’ as the vocal stylings are working in tandem to show how far the band can reach and how moving the track is. This is what I’ve missed about the scene in recent years where it’s only as effective as the people utilising it.

The final track, ‘Hollow’ which extends to several minutes amasses the best aspects of the entire EP. Starting off more atmospheric and then leading into he throbbing and bone rattling aspect of it’s heavier material, this can be a difficult thing to produce but doing it the way NO:IR have doing is just so freely entertaining which leads to a show stopping finale.

Overall, the EP is greatly produced and the ideas you expereince here within the genre bending are nothing short of excellent and ones we hope to see influence the bands own capabilities in the future.

Rating: 4/5.

Check out the EP via the following link.

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EP Review – Alma Grace – FRIDA

On May 5th, Mexican-American artist & activist Alma Grace is releasing her highly-anticipated debut EP, ‘FRIDA.’ The 4-song EP includes previous singles, “Girl Fight” and “Aventura,” as well as two brand new tracks, “Relámpago” and “Aztlán.”

Frida Kahlo is an artist who has inspired Alma Grace since childhood. She first learned about her through the Frida Kahlo-adorned matchboxes and coasters her Grandmother would bring over from Mexico City. As she grew older and started to learn more about Kahlo’s life, Grace became enthralled by the ways in which the Mexican painter redefined beauty standards and broke down the boundaries places on gender, race and sexuality. “In contrast to classmates and casting directors who criticized me for not being ‘white enough,’ Frida made me feel beautiful for my bushy eyebrows and black hair,” Grace writes. While the ‘FRIDA’ EP is certainly a project inspired by a feminist icon, it’s also an exploration of the ways in which Kahlo’s legacy has helped shape Grace into the woman and artist she is today.

“When I listen to these songs, I hear my transformation from an angsty teen to a semi-independent young adult,” she writes of the EP. “It’s such a special project to me, and I knew that it had to be my artist introduction to the world.”

Weaving Spanish and English lyrics throughout the EP as well as a blend of traditional latin sounds and modern pop melodies, Grace has created a beautiful ode to her bicultural roots. Her narrative-driven lyricism is enchanting, with each song delivering dual stories that tie back to both Kahlo and Grace’s lives. “Aventura” is an ode to adventure and affairs, something that Grace has always admired in Kahlo’s rich life. “Girl Fight” is a queer, feminist anthem that was inspired by Grace’s favorite Kahlo story: after her husband Diego Rivera cheated on her, she had an affair with the same woman. “Aztlan” is about the mythical homeland of the Aztec people and pays homage to both Grace and Kahlo’s ancestors. Lastly, “Relámpago” is all about coping with pain — the physical pain Kahlo suffered due to her near fatal bus accident and the emotional trauma Grace dealt with after being sexually assaulted. 

Alma Grace launched her music project last year with a string of buzzworthy singles. Her mixed musical influences are reflective of a globalized upbringing— she learned how to love from Selena, make witty comebacks from Shania Twain, and turn pain into art from Lauryn Hill. In addition to her budding music career, Grace has also performed on Broadway and Lincoln Center stages, been featured at Tribeca Film Festival, and acted in a multitude of films and TV shows. 

Despite only being 21 years old, the NYC born-and-raised songstress has also had an impressive career in social justice. As an activist, she attended her first protest at the age of 13, has volunteered with community-based organizations in Harlem, and has worked in both the Bronx and the U.S. Senate to defend immigrants facing deportation — a cause close to her heart as a second generation Mexican American. 

Aventura starts off slow to channel the energy in the opening track, dropping instantly into a flow of steady relaxation. Above all else the beats help you move along into quite a different listen to that of most artists.

Heading into Girl Fight, Alma Grace shows how beautiful a voice she has. The way she takes a regular track and uses her voice is just mesmerising. It’s as if you’re in a fixed trance and you just can’t stop listening to her music. The track is already an ear worm for myself and what I hope will happen is that everyone in the near future catches this because unlike most anthem tracks, it doesn’t take a lot to suck you into her world. A track which title partly means adventure in a double meaning with affair, this is one adventure you can’t skip under any circumstances.

Changing things up a little for the third offering ‘Aztlán’ it offers light relief blending her songwriting skills with a more relaxing instrumental backing to that of the first track on this release but there is still the enbodyment of the undertones to keep in line with the EP. This is absolutely the most mellow EP I’ve listened to in while and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Things get turned up more on Relámpago. It’s more in line with more popular structure of larger artists but Alma brings her unique ability to the table in full force which makes for good relief to that of the rest of the track listing on this one.

One thing that’s clear about the EP is that there’s a defined sound with FRIDA executes perfectly. It shows she’s an artist who’s fearless and confident in her capabilities and will stretch that creative ability whenever the means calls for her to do so.

If this is a stepping stone for Alma Grace then I will gladly await to hear what she has in store for us next because when that drops it will be thoroughly worth the wait.

Rating 4/5.

Check out the EP, ‘FRIDA’ via your preferred streaming service.

EP Review – Blitz Union – Not Proud

The majestic arrangement of Blitz Union’s latest EP, ‘Not Proud’ features the bands unique blend of rock and EDM elements with catchy vocal hooks and elevating synth leads

“Why do we still think that the human race is superior to all others? Nature can live without us, but we certainly can’t live without nature. Did we forget?”

Here is what Blitz Union says about the release:

“Not proud” is the main single from our same-titled second EP. This song sums up the message of the EP dealing with topics and questions around the relationship of humans and their environment, artificial vs. natural, human-made vs mother earth. With this release, You can again expect a fusion of hard-hitting rock elements and EDM hooks, which became the signature sound of our band Blitz Union lately.”

Since the band signed with the label Dreamstart Music 6 months ago, Blitz Union has seen a steady and constant rise in new listeners who turn into devoted fans around the world. Whether in the U.S., South America, Asia or all around Europe, the band’s most popular singles catch new fascinated listeners.

The band has had successful live shows in the past, playing at festivals and supporting bands like Oomph! regularly, and they can’t wait to go on tour again. With the release of the second EP ‘Not Proud’ and many more exciting releases, videos and hopefully live shows as well to come in 2021, the band is just warming up to conquer the hearts of even more fans of their music.

Every concert of the Blitz Union is a reunion of their supporters and those who want to join. And every time the giant guy dressed all in black and wearing a Blitz Union mask hiding his eyes walks through the audience and scans everyone making sure they are eligible to join… one thing is for sure: nobody is questioning their story… and everybody is ready for a change… ready to be the change.

To use the band’s wording: “Are you ready for a change? Join the Blitz Union!”

Kicking off the EP with the track, ‘TV’, you immediately hear the techno rock vibe, where if you think Crossfaith but a little less hard but more lyrically driven with that guitar is being more specially aware but in places more subtle.

Heading into ‘Money Crazy World’ there’s more of the feel of the opener but more of a dance feel. It has a defined beat where you can’t help but imagine this would be amazing in a club setting but some of the lyrics definitely in tune with the title. When it comes to a head, the influx of more hardcore aspect comes out to play if only for a moment but it brings out so much more in the band where you are overcome with an all out assault to give you the inspiration of that cathartic release of energy which is well and truly need.

‘Human Robot’ is just one of those alternative tracks that’s hard to forget about. By now, Blitz Union have introduced you to their world and genre they’ve seemingly created and all but mastered but here, they give you a track that’s too hard to ignore because of its brilliance. The synthetic and huge sounds they’ve derived is the standout of the EP so far.

‘Plastic’ is still building the world and pulls you in to a more vastly thought out cyberpunk synth world you want more of. In addition I have to mention the lyrical aspect of the EP. It’s leaps ahead of what some artists write where they’re having pops left, right and centre about the way of living of the modern era and’Plastic’ encapsulates this in a way which is brilliantly done where they address themselves as the plastic, they make us listen to what we as humans are doing while taking this all this amazing music in.

Sometimes with an EP, the music runs its course a few tracks in but the title track still rakes you into the world that’s created by Blitz Union in such a different way because you want more from this world because there’s seemingly no shortage of inspiration and ideas. Lastly for this track, when the echo of the track in the final third mixed with the bass and drums comes into things it’s a little disappointing they don’t make it more of an anthem but the alternative choice with the harmonic guitar pays off just as well.

Not Proud is a stunning and provocative body of work in which people must listen to because in a world where this amount energy needs to be released and in this time of the world, it’s more crucial than ever to get back to a world that gives and much as this EP does.

Rating: 4/5.

The EP, ‘Not Proud’ is available to listen to right now!

Check it out via your preferred streaming service.

EP Review – Foley – Vacation

Today marks the arrival of New Zealand based pop duo Foley’s new EP, ‘Vacation’.

Grounded by mellow pop grooves and honeyed vocals, “Better Than Love” is a dreamy exploration of the prospect of love versus the reality of love and the way we close ourselves off from emotion to save yourself from future heartbreak. When love is so built up to us as extravagant, dramatic and awe consuming, how can it ever live up to our expectations? (“The thought of you is better than love”). The tight friendship between Foley’s Ash Wallace and Gabriel Everett allows them to write openly and vulnerably with each other and “Better Than Love” is a testament to that. For this single, the duo also brought in their close collaborators and longtime friends Josh Naley (Wells*) and Jonathan Boyle (Julius Black).

Foley is the late night conversations, not-so-existential crises & the genuinely unbreakable friendship of 20-somethings Ash Wallace and Gabriel Everett. Honest to a fault, Foley have quickly picked up a fanbase of young like-minded listeners for their confessions of love, loss and learning. Their debut EP ‘On My Conscience,’ was released in 2020 and saw huge success across commercial radio and streaming platforms, hitting #10 on the NZ Album Charts and plastered the pair across multiple Spotify playlist covers. They rounded out the year with the release of singles “Rendezvous” and “So Personal,” which will join “Better Than Love” on their upcoming sophomore EP, ‘Vacation,’ out on March 15th.

In addition to their streaming success, Foley have graced New Zealand’s largest New Years festival Rhythm & Vines3 times, most recently playing a main-stage slot on New Year’s Eve. The pair have also shared the stage with Two Door Cinema Club, Flight Facilities & Crooked Colours at indie fest Spring City, and opened for Drax Project on their NZ tour and Six60’s stadium show in Hamilton early in 2020.

Vacation starts off very unexpected. Having listened to ‘Better Than Love’ previously before the full EP, ‘Keep Me On My Toes’ does exactly as intended and opens to something of a experience which is second to none. The uplifting musicality that the duo radiate is one to give themselves a identifier that they mean business.

‘Rendezvous’ keeps up the energy of what Foley are and this is a track that keeps you on your toes in an intriguing choice which proves this is a concise effort so far.

More slowed down for ‘Anything Before You’, it feels a step down if anything and could be considered an outlier for the choice in the tracklisting of the EP. That being said, it bites back and mostly comes into its own partway into the track which is a good celebration of the tight friendship between Foley’s Ash Wallace and Gabriel Everett. They do breathe new life into the track further down the road, so this might be worth a rewind or two.

There’s just something so grounded and cathartic about ‘Better Than Love’ It’s a testament to what can be great pop music which comes from honesty and an alluring instrumental sound with soulful lyrics to match. This is something so personal that it needs to be heard right now and given the current pandemic in the world, is a track which could heal some wounds for those that listen to the duo.

On the finale ‘So Personal’ it feels as if it’s more of a autobiographical track to showcase something even more special . What’s more is that the style doesn’t diverge one bit where they create a seamless track to the point of which their collaborative effort is unquestionably brilliant.

Overall, Foley prove to be a powerhouse with ‘Vacation’ with their personal lyrics and tightening friendship which extends to their music and songwriting. We just hope that this extends further and they continue to create more and more vulnerable and open music in the future.

Check out the EP via your preferred streaming service.

Rating: 3.5/5

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EP Review – Devan – Pink Noise

Devan has been pursuing a music career since she was a kid; the brazen 10-year-old dropped off a homemade demo – to no avail – at the iconic Olympic Studio, home to Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder and David Bowie. Now in 2021, the Toronto-born/London-raised singer-songwriter is gearing up to release her debut solo project.

Leaning into her wildly diverse musical influences thanks to a transatlantic childhood, Devan is creating her own voice by melding together her heroes, including the poetic songwriting of Stevie Nicks, James Taylor and Neil Young; and the pop vocal production of Florence + The Machine, Adele and Amy Winehouse. Her solo debut tracks, which have garnered more than 500,000 global streams, have been described as “mesmerizing” (Wonderland), “catchy hooks… spellbinding” (Earmilk) and “a magnetic tune that understands the gravitational weight of its pull” (Vanyaland).

Written and produced between Toronto and Los Angeles, Devan’s crew of collaborators include Adam Boukis (Timbaland, Saweetie, and Bruno Martini), Quin Kiu (Lil Mosey, J Ember), Tyler Shamy (Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Taeyeon), and features singer-songwriter Corey Harper on “Almost.”

On a debut EP release, Devan set out to create an honest introduction of who she is as an artist and producer, and a commitment to being honest as she reflected on the uncertainty that comes with navigating your 20s.

“Pink Noise is about insecurity, but it’s also about being able to breathe out and feel a sense of relief towards my revelation that my reality is formed by my own perceptions,” explains Devan. “Writing songs for me is a way to uncover my underlying feelings about something – putting elusive emotions into tangible sentences, and coming to terms with them. My only guideline for writing these songs was to try to be as honest with myself as possible, and follow my instincts without all the self-inflicted barriers that I usually let get in the way.”

While distinct, Devan’s voice may sound familiar. She has spent the last 6 years honing her talents as a songwriter and live performer with Wild Rivers; the folk-pop band that she co-found and co-fronts, boasts over 140 million global streams and sells out venues across North America. The band’s 2019 release, “I Do”, scored Devan the top prize at the International Songwriting Competition placing her in front of judges Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Tom Waits and Bebe Rexha.

Devan’s solo project has been percolating since the moment she hit ‘record’ on her first homemade demo, and all these years later, she remains equally as brazen and ready to share her songs.

Now straight away, Devan is an artist quite unlike anything I’ve heard as of late, bending the genre into something she makes her own.

The EP opener ‘Almost feat. Corey Harper’ reminds me a little of Rewrite The Stars from The Greatest Showman but a much better version of the track with more heart and hard hitting themes so self sabotage gives a lot of food for thought and keeps you engaged in a way which is unparalleled.

Moving onto ‘Real Shot’, a real feisty track which just goes at a regular pace, but all the better to listen to upon repeat which shows that it’s one of the standout tracks in an EP which revolves around the multiple themes at hand. The harmonies are well placed and but he end it’s just heartbreaking the end of every listen.

Next up in ‘Make Up Your Mind’, there’s more beats than anything in this particular track which makes it part of the repetitive pop track formula that makes it a weaker part of the EP.

Despite the bleak title choice of ‘We’re All Gonna Die Anyway’, it’s far superior to the previous and just one that works a lot better. The music in the track launches itself in a way that the other tracks do not. In addition, the lyrics revolve around Devan to show what sort of headspace the artist was in for the track and it’s one which is truly heartbreaking but ultimately more powerful to listen to.

Penultimately, ‘Night Drives’ is just a track that Devan brakes out of her comfort zone and brakes down the barriers she’s set up for herself in the EP where the most melodic parts of the music just flourish together much better than most in the EP and one that goes down well in the overall structure of the EP..

Lastly, Conclusions takes the EP’s sound in a completely left field range as far as the previous tracks are concerned and pulls away with a cathartic and beautifully written ballad which is chalk full of emotion to encapsulate just what sort of an artist she wants to be.

While ‘Pink Noise’ isn’t the most sound EP in parts, it’s one which chooses quality over quantity and that’s what I appreciate more than just a bunch of filler tracks to tie me over until an artists next big release. Devan creates a safe space she brakes out of perfectly where some might consider it a little too safe, you have to remember the whole guideline for the tracks was to be honest with herself and that’s one which is wholly reflected in her lyrics. The decisions she makes with her music will only see her climb with the experience she’s gained from the making of this EP.

Rating: 3.5/5.

Check out ‘Pink Noise’ via your preferred streaming platform.

Check out the video for ‘Almost’ below.

EP Review – Dohny Jep – Smile, It Might Never Happen

Kent-based alternative-rock four-piece Dohny Jep began as a duo in early 2019, with Stuart and Pete deciding to create something unlike anything either of them had done before in previous bands and projects. With their unique video concepts and mesh of pop-synth melodies and rock guitars, they did just that.  Fast forward one year and with an additional two members in tow, the group self-released their much celebrated debut album L.U.S.T in July 2020.

Since the release the band have amassed over 50,000 streams on Spotify, received regular airplay from Hard Rock Hell Radio and BBC Introducing as well as glowing reviews from the likes of Dead Press and Distorted Sound. 

After playing just one show together as a band, they had tours planned throughout 2020 to coincide with the release of their debut album, but as the Coronavirus put a halt to any plans of playing their new material live, they headed back to the studio to record more new music. A product of this recording session is their fantastic upcoming EP ‘Smile, It Might Never Happen’, due for release February 26th 2021 via Favour The Brave Records.

Recorded at their recently-built home studio and produced, mixed and mastered by Rhys May (Bring Me The Horizon, Don Broco, While She Sleeps), the EP explores the subjects of mental health, friendship, and letting go of the negatives in your life & living in the moment.

Prior to the release comes the EP’s leading single ‘Looking In’. Commenting on the track the band state: “Looking in is about feeling left out and neglected, wanting to be included but also struggling to make these feelings known, causing you to never really get anywhere”.

At face value from the previous release of ‘Looking In’, this band hitting the ground running should be the next British band to be keeping your eye on. And they are getting there. Fingers crossed touring resumes at some point this year so there’s a chance to see them live sometime in the next twelve months.

Starting off with Control, the techno vibes, hooks and vocals are reminiscent of Don Broco’s ‘Technology’ but trust me, it does work! They have their own spin on production, which could be down to their producer Rhys May who is assistant producer to Dan Lancaster whom Broco have worked with before. After that opening and digging deep into the track has just huge storming guitars fuse into something which is unlike most newcomers you come across, this a good belter.

With ‘Smile’ this develops their sound with the more techno aspect where the production helps them in the best way but when it hits the breakdown, that’s where you’re seeing the potential of the band and root for them more.

‘Looking In’. This is my personal favourite off the EP as a whole. “There’s got to be a way to get out” is an all too feel representation of what life is for many people in the UK and this track in a matter of speaking in social aspects and more makes it so much more personal for anyone listening.

On the last track, ‘Get Fucked’ this seems as if it’s something I would’ve listened to back in my teenage days if the lyrics are anything to go by but, this is a great closer for the EP. There’s something as well in the breakdowns which just makes this a standout track where on the final third is somewhat masterful and just has so much potential where Dohny Jep have the chance to breakout and be the voices of a new generation in the UK.

What occurs on this EP is a well crafted rounded out set of tracks that make you want to listen to it over and over again. There’s certainly something to be said about Dohny Jep as a band to be on the lookout for once lockdown ends because how it translates live will be a deciding factor for most.

Rating: 4/5.

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EP Review – We The Kings – Saga

Back and armed with the release of their 2021 EP ‘Saga’, Pop-Rockers We The Kings showcases a true cathartic experience where they have a truly fantastic release for the start of the year.

‘Turn It UP’ does exactly what it says on the tin, which encourages inspiration through it’s lyrics and gives the listener an experience which will stay with you. In edition to the outstanding vocals, the arrangement of the track is definitely one of the best delivered tracks which We The Kings have released in while.

‘These Nights’ is an anthem for the last twelve months. Not only that, it doubles as a love track which coincides with Valentines in the perfect way. “I won’t forget these nights with you” can just bring back so many memories for whoever listens and makes us truly reminiscent of the pre-Covid days of being with friends and family. The track is also reminiscent of some of their more Pop-Punk roots as far as their guitar tracks and makes the EP shape up to be quite a release so far.

Moving to a much more poppier track, ‘No 1 Like U’ feels more in tune with The Summer Set when they went in a similar direction but what sticks here is the rhythm of the track which helps the flow of the EP. In addition with very pop influenced Taylor Swift breakdown, it’s still in the same boat of the themes as the previous tracks, this is definitely a love and heartbreak EP by this point. Very 21st Century Breakdown of them.

‘Falling – So In Love’ delves more into the archetype of the trending pop tracks you come across in the mainstream culture at the moment, but in a strange way, this is what I’m impressed by the most out of the more unconventional sounds. It’s such a soulful track in this way.

Now ‘The Light’ opening with the piano is just a haunting addition to build up the track to focus on issues that we all feel right now but now I think about it, this is just a gorgeous addition to We The Kings’ catalogue and one that needs to heard right now. The undercutting beats might sound a little overkill at times but in places it mixes well with the sound of EP.

Hitting back in their final track of ‘Love Me Or Let Me Down’, there’s something so universal about the themes of this track to hit us right where it hurts. A pointant and enduring ballad turns into something out of a good drama film where the character has the sudden realisation they’ve been searching for all along, this is the perfect ending to a heartfelt and fantastic EP and will most certainly be a crowd pleaser when shows return.

With this marking the largest release since their 2018 full length, ‘Six’, the lessons learned from there are well and truly considered into what We The Kings manage here. Floating in a mix of the Rock overtones, their metamorphosis is virtually complete with a flourishing EP here.

Rating: 4/5.

Check out ‘Saga’ via spotify below.

EP Review – Old Selves – Two Minds

Blistering, Powerful and Thumping. Those are three words to describe the debut EP from York based OLD SELVES. They produce a masterful release quite unlike any other band on the up and coming scene right now where they produce something of high quality standard which could rival releases of names much larger than themselves. Their no holds barred attitude on the six track EP show they are a force to be reckoned with and live, it will be unquestionably manic.

The haunting intro of ‘Sonnet For Sorrow’ brings about a medieval theme which for the band pairs well with their location and makes the way for the smashing ‘Two Minds’. “Get out, just get out” rings in perfectly for the band in a way that’s unexpected from the outset and just leaves you wanting more. The most obvious riffs in comparison are that to Bullet For My Valentine which offers an intense rage you can feel sweltering out of the music before the drums offer a cathartic release to culminate in the closing of the track.

‘Population’ offers more of the intense riffs by the band as you feel the energy to make this one of the more confrontational bands that you’ve heard in a while but what’s more is that the solo taps into the potential where you think they peak? No, they’re capable of much more to the point of which Old Selves are following in the footsteps of the scarce metal scene York have had recently but add so much more to it.

‘Lost’ is a quaint instrumental interval to help you recalibrate and leads into ‘444’. The start of the track makes your hairs stand on end where the sound just erupts where you get the addition of the political aspect of the band making its full swing in lyrics such as “Stop, I’m trying to breathe” which is just so eire as they echo just what has happened in the world in the last year. The colossal sounds are the very foundation and the backbone which propels the EP to make it a debut you won’t forget anytime soon.

In the fianle of the the EP, there’s something a lot cleaner about the sound of the guitars to finish as the track fades but not before more social commentary hits home where they end on such a strong note.

Now at the moment, Old Selves do have touring plans of the UK planned for later this year, assuming all goes to plan with the current Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and if the same intensity and ferocity can be delivered, they will be the best band to come of of the Yorkshire scene in a while and undoubtedly one of the best.

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