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Tuesday, 6 February 2018

EP Review: Glass Mountain - 'Wow & Flutter'

Bradford-based quartet Glass Mountain have released their second EP and first through Yorkshire label Hide & Seek Records. Drawing influences from alt-rock, dream-pop, post-rock, electronica and grandiose cinematic pieces, Glass Mountain have created a sound that's unique and worthy of any stadium performance.

The EP opens with the massive sounding 'Gin Flows Through My Veins' and from the off, Glass Mountain show their aptitude for creating songs with varying textures and rhythms whilst maintaining a consistent sound. On the second track 'Wait All Alone', the band introduce their indie-pop influences with a lighter, more upbeat sound. Experimental rhythms combined with glistening synths and bright guitar leads build throughout before the track drops to a brilliant single drum groove.

With 'Ghosts', Glass Mountain tap into their heavier, shoegaze influences. The guitars are more prominent here as they drive the choruses along with the heavy drums. The standout moment of the EP is the beautifully delicate closer 'Have to Lie'. The tenderness of Harry Hanson's lead vocal is highly emotive as the instrumentation slowly builds. The song contrasts brilliantly with the more imposing opening tracks.

On this second EP, Glass Mountain have shown they can balance large productions with moments of carefully managed restraint. The songs are emotive and well-formed and as an overall body of work, the 'Wow & Flutter' EP is one of brilliance. It won't be long until their anthemic choruses will be filling stadiums up and down the country.

Listen to 'Wow & Flutter' below.

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Thursday, 1 February 2018

EP Review: Heavy Lungs - 'Abstract Thoughts'

After a handful of shows supporting the likes of METZ and IDLES, Bristolian punk outfit Heavy Lungs release their debut EP titled 'Abstract Thoughts' on the 2nd of February. Forming in the Spring of 2017, the quartet's influences vary from GØGGS to Iceage and Iggy Pop to Tyler, the Creator. These influences amount to a sound of raw passion and heat worthy of any serious punk outfit.

Photo by Jamie E. Murray

The EP opens with the intense 'Poster Boy' which is a three and a half minute blast of complex drum patterns and simple but effective guitar riffs. Up next is the brutal title track that combines heavy beats and blues-influenced riffs. It's on this track where guitarist Oliver Southgate really lets rip with his experimental and noisily jarring solos.

In a welcomed move, the overall pace is initially slowed down on the Blur influenced second single 'Stutter' before the four-piece turn up their trademark ferocity in the final stages of the track. On 'Descend', Heavy Lungs take it back to basics with a four-note blast of a track as frontman Danny Nedelko manically screams the lyrics. 'Charmer' is the heavily distorted, bass-led closer that exudes darkness and passion. Nedelko performs with an energy that is hard to fully fathom and he doesn't let up on the final track. In the final stages of the tune, the band come together to create a riotous sound that can only lead listeners to want more. It's the perfect closer to a brilliantly strong debut EP.

On 'Abstract Thoughts' Heavy Lungs have set the bar high. The use of experimentation, raw energy, fantastic musicianship and unbelievable passion amounts to one of the strongest debut EPs we've heard in a long time. Guitar bands take note, this is how you introduce yourself to the world.

'Abstract Thoughts' is out on Bandcamp on the 2nd of February, in the meantime listen to 'Stutter' below.

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Friday, 8 December 2017

Track Review: Heavy Lungs - 'Poster Boy'

Bristol punk outfit Heavy Lungs have released their debut single 'Poster Boy'. The four lads have been making a name for themselves on the live seen with massive support slots this year for Canadian punks METZ and fellow Bristolians (and Not Another Music Blog favourites) IDLES. With their forthcoming EP titled 'Abstract Thoughts' slated for a 2018 release, it's time to get excited about Heavy Lungs.

The track is a 3 and a half minute blast of complex drum patterns, and simple but effective guitar riffs. The tempo of the track never lets up and the passionate, screamed vocals add to create even more intensity. Musically, the track is quite dark and lacks a little melody until the harmonised guitar solos. This isn't a bad thing whatsoever, British punk is screaming for a little darkness these days and Heavy Lungs duly deliver. The track ultimately builds to a chaotic climax with screams panning left and right and contrasting bluesy guitar riffs. The chaos here is incredibly intense before the tracks tempo slows bar by bar ending with warped feedback and distortion.

This really is a rip-roaring punk track from a band with heaps of potential. After hearing 'Poster Boy', we can only imagine what their live performances are like. Punk music is coming back in such a strong way and we believe Heavy Lungs will be at the forefront of this revolution.

Listen to the blistering 'Poster Boy' below.

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