Read this week's reviews on new tracks from Inhaler, Megadeth, Sleep Token, and more.
Cuts & Bruises – Inhaler
Inhaler’s latest album Cuts & Bruises combines the grainy monochrome of the 70’s, with the hazy, sun-bleached nostalgia of 00’s indie-rock. Ryan McMahon’s quintessentially indie percussion remains a constant foundation for Elijah Hewson’s gritty, yet delicately suppressed vocals. The four-piece band resist categorisation as just another indie-rock band, as they slyly integrate layers of dreamy xylophone beats in The Things I Do, while Josh Jenkinson’s electric guitar riffs in Now You Got Me take the album to a new horizon of psychedelia. Their latest single Love Will Get You There is the beating heart of the album, as the up-tempo optimism of McMahon’s drums exists alongside the longing ache of Robert Keating’s bass. The album doesn’t claim to bring anything overly innovative to the indie-rock genre yet supplies listeners with track-after-track of solid indie tunes, complete with raspy instrumentals and addictive melodies. Cuts & Bruises will leave you nostalgic for a feeling you’ve never even known. Madelaine Dinnage
Deliver The Goods – Megadeth
Screaming out the gates with a squawk and a squeal of their guitars, Megadeth sound like they’ve spent some time in ZZ Top country with their new song. Whilst still containing the trademark Dave Mustaine sneered singing and guitar tone, the song is a bit bluesier than they would usually go for, and it sounds great on it! The thrash band have lost none of the ability they’ve always been known for, and have been one of metal's most consistent ‘older’ bands of late, with two brilliant albums recently and this acting as a sign of hopefully more excellent upcoming music! It could be said that Megadeth have indeed delivered the goods on this one. Jake Longhurst
Vore - Sleep Token
The metal scene’s latest obsession Sleep Token dropped a new single Vore alongside officially announcing their upcoming third album Take Me Back To Eden. Vore departs somewhat from the last four singles, featuring prominent screamed vocals, reminiscent of deep cut / fan favourite Gods from their first album Sundowning (2019). Now I love Sleep Token and I love screamy music almost as much as Jake Longhurst, but this song hasn’t gripped me in the same way the other singles have so far - hopefully it just needs a few more days to settle in. It’s the execution of the screams that don't sit quite so well with me, maybe I’m totally wrong here but I don’t think lead singer Vessel is actually the one screaming (it’s probably Vessel IV, the live guitarist…) which is a strange choice given he has performed harsh vocals in the band before and I think his lower style suits their music better. They’re also a little buried in the mix. Anyway, the band continues their meteoric rise, passing 2 million monthly listeners immediately after this release and they really do deserve it. Don’t get me wrong, this would be an excellent song by any other artist, but just like a Bounty in a Celebrations tin, even good things are easily overlooked when surrounded by greatness. Sam Christelow
The Doldrums – Caroline Rose
The latest taster from Caroline Rose’s upcoming album The Art of Forgetting is another deeply emotional cut. The Doldrums is an exploration from of identity, absence of self-compassion and reflection, pairing these raw and vulnerable feelings with dazzling production that furthers the artist as they traverse new ground musically. This enchanting single plucks at the harp strings with its magical strings and fills the senses and the space with its heavy reverberation and echoing harmonies. Thematically, the track also remains consistent with what we know about the album so far, with some reversed sounds and fade downs in the background, which once again create that feeling of being trapped in time, relating to the pandemic and the world stopping without much distraction from this self-reflection. It’s hauntingly arresting, and it continues to show that Caroline Rose is a force to be reckoned with. Izzy Morris
Psychosemantics – Floodhounds
The Sheffield trio have brought the heat on their latest release - a hard rocking, riffy, aggressive and even bluesy song by the name Psychosemantics. With my introduction to the group being their supporting slot to Kid Kapichi, naturally, my first thought for any new music of theirs is about whether it would be good live, and this absolutely fits the bill. Lyrically, the song flows like butter, with a little edge of something harsher. It’s full of metaphor and simile, with some wonderfully witty pieces of prose. It’s packed with energy and will perfectly suit their high-intensity live show, so I can’t wait to catch them live again to see this one! Jake Longhurst
Oh Baby (feat bshp & Issey Cross) – Nathan Dawe & Bru-C
Long-time friends Nathan Dawe and Bru-C are back with new single Oh Baby. It’s a great combination of their two styles, with Nathan’s classic groovy dance-style production perfectly accompanying the witty, well-flowing lyrics we’ve come to expect from Bru-C. The repeated synth melody makes the song extremely catchy and, paired with its short length, I can imagine this song being replayed- whether that be at home or in the club! Bru-C’s lyrics are admittedly tamer than in some of his other hits (Clart comes to mind) but his unique voice and lyricism still shine through: “I'm from Nottingham City, they're following with me I'm bringin' it home They wanna know how I think of the flows”. Part of the reason he’s still so loved by Nottingham locals is the pride he has in his home city, so it’s great to see him still referencing his roots. Both Nathan Dawe and Bru-C achieved new levels of success last year, so this is as good a time as ever for the duo to collaborate. Will 2023 see the pair work together again? Hopefully- if this song is any indication of their potential! Cat Jordan
Hollywood Baby - 100 gecs American hyperpop duo 100 gecs return with another healthy dose of autotune-drenched sweetness. Continuing the style of their previous single Mememe, this track features a more rock-influenced approach to hyperpop. I really like the production on Hollywood Baby, the guitar sounds don’t appear muddy in the mix and the drums sound crisp - something which felt a little lacking on Mememe. The band’s quintessentially tongue-in-cheek lyrics are as present as ever, such as the complete throwaway lyric “brand new Mercedes” appearing (of course) smack bang in the middle of the chorus. As they build towards their next album 10000 Gecs I hope they keep up this energetic style, but perhaps that’s the pop-punk kid in me talking. Sam Christelow
Swampy & Sombre Two - Dry Cleaning
Following the success of their sophomore album Stumpwork, Dry Cleaning return with two new tracks entitled Swampy and Sombre Two. The first track Swampy is a steady, yet moody song which opens with a captivating riff, eventually being moulded into the first verse alongside bass and relaxed drums. Florence Shaw delivers an intimate vocal performance, with gripping lyrics and dynamics that intensify the ambient mood. Produced by John Parish, this track makes use of the stereo field with whispered vocals in different ears creating a coherent and fascinating mix.
Sombre Two opens with intense flushes of electric guitar. Following this at fifty seconds is upright bass with a jazz-derived, ambient melody. This track demonstrates the band’s versatility to play a full spectrum of instrumental, relaxed songs to intense, rockier tracks. It is yet another exciting release from Dry Cleaning and it leaves a craving for more new music in the future. Jake Turnpenny
Drowning In It – Code Orange
Code Orange are one of the brightest and best bands in the hardcore or industrial metal scenes, which they inhabit. Anything new from them is always treated with due reverence, but this is not entirely something new. The band have released a remix album of their 2020 masterpiece Underneath, and it’s far more electronic than previously. The first song on this new album, Drowning In It, acts as a remix of the title track from 2020, and uses the original drum beat but with remixed vocals and heavily synthesised melodic parts. The whole album carries on as such and whilst it doesn’t feel like a traditional Code Orange album, it’s still an awesome piece of music from an amazing band. Jake Longhurst
Edited by Roxann Yus
Cover image courtesy of Inhaler via Facebook.
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