Page 38 - Black Velvet Magazine Issue 99

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vocals. The EP’s opener down for a raw confession grin-inducing track with its ‘Frost’ ends the EP with a
‘Summer Is A Curse’ de- with ‘Winter (Interlude)’, it lively spirit, and it’s defi- darker tone and a good in-
fines the mood of the whole exposes a more personal nitely one that will get strumental build. The band
EP. Its catchy chorus and and vulnerable side to the crowds jumping around. keep it deep, reflecting on
upbeat riffs have you band and ‘Open Wounds’ Bass-heavy ‘Rose’ delights mental health and how to
hooked in no time. ‘Make breaks down the barriers with its vocal harmonies combat it by communicat-
Believe’ throws you off even more, as every emo- before a massive chorus ing with loved ones, a re-
track with a slower melodic tion being expressed floods pushes through and you ally credible topic that a lot
opening and emotional through you. The intro- find yourself singing along. of people struggle with
lyrics but it ends big, hav- spective ‘Giving Up’ skil- The spoken word section in daily. This is an excellent
ing your heart racing again! fully intertwines agitated the bridge complements closing track that defines
BROWSING COLLEC- By the time you get to ‘I rapping with a colossal the rolling bass and laid- the EP and has really tat-
TION Can Feel You’ you have re- chorus, as angst seeps back hi-hats, before return- tooable lyrics. Overall, this
DON’T WANT TO DANCE ally been taken on an emo- through the heavy instru- ing to a final verse and is an impressive first at-
(BROWSING COLLEC- tional rollercoaster of mentals. Confidently swag- chorus. The final ‘29’ is a tempt for the band and
TION) heart-pumping beats and gering through with ‘Same delightful narrative which after a few tours they
Sweden is home to nu- infectious love songs. This Dance’, an unapologetic at- makes 21 minutes pass by should be able to define
merous kick-ass rock one will be loved by We titude carries this track like a breeze. ‘9’ is a record their own sound a bit more.
bands, and Browsing Col- The Kings and All Time through blistering guitars, that shows you life is wor- YYY
lection is another to add to Low fans. They close with but ‘Doubt Me’ ends the thy of celebration, and Becky Dorgan
the er… collection. Their ‘When It Comes’, which album on a defiant note. you’ll definitely want to cel-
new EP ‘Don’t Want To isn’t as punchy as the oth- ‘Seasons' is a fine example ebrate this record by hitting MIA KLOSE
Dance’ shows they mean ers and maybe the order of good genre blending, , the repeat button. STRONGER
business. The all-girl band could have been re- with its open lyricism, it’s YYYYY (MIA KLOSE)
blast us into oblivion with arranged to end with ‘My sure to be a record that Athena Kam After taking a break
opening track ‘One Time A Heart Needs To Breathe’, chimes with many. Mia Klose is back with a
Year’, a feisty shot of with its dynamic range it YYYY DARKER DAYS fantastic new album,
adrenaline, while ‘Some- would have gone out with a Athena Kam DARKER DAYS ‘Stronger’. This Swedish
thing To Hold On To’ is sul- bang. Overall though, the (DARKER DAYS) artist with powerful vocals
try, fizzy, vivacious and EP is a great taster of If you are still in high is exactly what the title sug-
vibrant all in one. It’s both what’s to come from the spirits from the recent Hal- gests, ‘Stronger’. It has an
funky and punky. If you’ve band. ‘Summer Is A Curse’ loween festivities, then you eighties and early nineties
been missing the riot grrl is something you definitely will be all ears for Darker vibe but with a modern
scene, these girls are here need to put on in your car Days. Hailing from Salem, twist for the present day. If
to pull it back by its roots. and sing your heart out to. Massachusetts, they al- you like heart-pounding
Single ‘Thank God It’s Fri- The band tour in the UK ready have darkness music then this album does
day’ is the perfect let your again next February, don’t etched into their heritage not disappoint. The guitars
hair down for the weekend, miss them. and bring all that heavy en- are exceptional, the bass
while ‘Hi But No’ is hu-
YYYY ergy to the band. Nick Sul- brings a cool vibe, the
mourous with lyrics such Becky Dorgan livan and Mike Natsios of drums are a powerhouse
as ‘for the record you’re SAVES THE DAY the late Energy, who you and Mia’s vocals are
ugly too’. And sterling mu- SYLAR 9 might have caught on tour strong. Title track ‘Stronger’
sicianship too. The 6-track SEASONS (RUDE) with Creeper in the UK last has great guitar riffs while
EP ends on a slightly more (HOPELESS) The ninth record from year, are joined by Mason the lyrics alone will make
melancholy note with ‘The Taking hip-hop influ- Saves The Day offers an Eaton, Jon and Kevin you believe in yourself and
Story That Never Ends’. ences into a heavy setting, autobiographical look into Byers. This debut EP boost your confidence.
‘You are always there to Sylar prove themselves to the band’s history through opens with banger ‘Night ‘Memory Lane’ has a rock-
judge,’ sings Mimi Brander. be on top of the rap/rock the nine tracks that form up Piece’, the kind of punk ing start and keeps it
Well, we’re here to judge genre with their latest the album. Delving into rock that will have you throughout. Let’s face it,
and we’re going to give album ‘Seasons’. Blending memories, it’s a reflection jumping out of your con- everyone has memories,
these girls 5/5. An excellent honest lyrics with immense on the moments that have verse and going wild. This good or bad; ‘Memory
EP. Now, when’s the UK choruses, you’re sure to shaped the band’s mindset one is for fans of Sum 41, Lane’ reminds you that it’s
tour? feel fired up by titular open- and life in general. Open- AFI and New Found Glory. good to have them, but
YYYYY ing track ‘Seasons’. Chill- ing with ‘Saves The Day’, ‘Pressed Petals’ keeps up with a rock ‘n’ roll vibe. The
SBV ing electronics lure you in you’re thrown straight into the energy with a strong , riffs in this song are worth
on ‘All Or Nothing’, before fast-paced riffs and electri- both instrumentally and vo- a listen; vibrant and rele-
THE FAIM full instrumentals slam into fying guitar solos. It’s a cally. However, don’t get vant. ‘Living For Love’ has
SUMMER IS A CURSE you as shouts of ‘This is all track you can’t help but your mosh on just yet, as a powerful intro with vocals
(BMG) or nothing’ repeat, and it smile at, packed with an in- the pace slows dramati- that are from the soul. The
The Faim are the kind bears semblance to a call fectious energy that gener- cally after the first chorus guitars will make your heart
of band that make you to arms. The rousing lyrics ates the momentum that with a melodic bridge, melt. Another song to note
want to dance around the continue in ‘No Way’, which keeps it driving. ‘Suzuki’ is which comes as a bit of a is ‘Don’t Give Up’. Lyrically,
room using your hairbrush sings about the special a dynamic, free-flowing surprise, before building this song reminds you that
as a microphone. The band bond that two people can track , although short in back up to mosh level anything is possible; a
formed, like many before share, and not letting go length, makes up for it with again, making it a banger great message in today’s
them, from jamming to- even during rough times. A character. Meanwhile to add to a live set. Things world - be a fighter and
gether while at high school delicate piano opening in there’s a sleazy jagger that start to get a bit deeper lyri- ‘Don’t Give Up’. The final
in their hometown of Perth. ‘Wait For You’ becomes the underlies ‘Side By Side’, as cally for ‘Sleepwalk’ where track on ‘Stronger’ is the in-
After releasing some backbone of a hip-hop - flaming riffs roll through, the band address addiction spiring ‘Time To Rock’. The
catchy demos online, they beat, which transforms into whilst ‘Kerouac And Cas- and how relationships are song is straightforward
were lucky enough to have a touching chorus full of sady’ ups the amp with its affected by it. The song has rock ’n’ roll and a great way
been picked up by soaring vocals and sus- swing introduction that pro- a nice instrumental break- to end. The album is full of
renowned producer John tained guitars. The playful vides some solid rhythmic down which links to the songs of hope, strength
Feldmann and their musi- ‘SHOOK!’ will get you ground to hook onto. emotional turmoil of the and great musicianship.
cal journey has been on grooving along with its in- Crashing cymbals count in lyrics. ‘Searchlight’ keeps Strong guitars, passionate
the rise ever since. Their fectious chorus and atti- ‘It’s Such A Beautiful up the pace vocally, with vocals, nice bass and pow-
influences are largely in the tude-packed riffs. Dripping World’, before bass and the old school punk rock, erful drums. Rock ‘n’ roll is
pop-punk genre with with confidence, it’s a track guitars interplay with each New Found Glory-vibe and alive!
catchy hooks, dazzling that is sure to go down well other as we leap between combines this with deep YYYYY
audio effects and punchy in the live circuit. Slowing low and high notes. It’s a lyrics about loss and death. Tiffini Taylor

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