Review: Orchards // Losers/Lovers EP

Hailing from Brighton, Orchards, are one of the latest bands catching the imagination of the UK math rock scene. Not strictly 'math rock' but more 'math pop', their new EP combines the uplifting sounds of bands like And So I Watch You From Afar & Tiny Moving Parts with pop hooks and a sound reminiscent of Paramore's latest album.

Losers/Lovers opens with lead single 'Luv You 2', the bands first release after signing for Big Scary Monsters, and is the perfect introduction to the band. Prevalent with catchy hooks cemented by a sing along chorus it'll be stuck in your head from the first listen, whilst the math rock influence  means by the 20th listen you will still be finding intricasies you missed the first time round.

Not only does 'Luv You 2' set the musical scene for the EP but also in a lyrical sense; painting a picture of a lost love across the back drop of uplifting melodies, a style Orchards seem to have mastered.

These themes carry on through the next two tracks 'Drama King' & 'Be Here', which are both solid entries, but 'Double Vision' is the next real head turner on the record. It shows of the Orchards' ability to write a great pop song; catchy choruses & a brilliant sing along bridge will have it stuck in your head for weeks!

The second half of the EP begins with new song 'Age Of You', similarly to 'Drama King' & 'Be Here' the song further showcases the bands' ability to not only write singles but also high quality pop album tracks. However with it following 'Double Vision' you can't help but feel the bridge as been almost directly lifted from the previous song.

The record closes with 3 previously released songs; 'Peggy', 'Honey' & 'Darling'. This blend of old and new songs makes the EP the perfect introduction to Orchards but also comes across as a statement of intent. It demonstrates perfectly the evolution of the band and how they've polished their sound into something that could see them go really far.

8/10

Losers/Lovers is released on Big Scary Monsters on 6th July 2018 - Pre-order HERE

You can catch Orchards at TRUCK festival & ArcTanGent this summer

Review: October Drift // This Is Nowhere EP

Softly the sound builds, delicate vocals flow over the top, the sound builds, the drumming gets louder and all of a sudden the twanging riff of the start of October Drift's new EP drops in. The Sheffield band have been crafting a name for themselves over the last year with seeminglessly endless touring and a fantastic reputation to go with it.

Their second EP 'This Is Nowhere' begins with the ambient build of 'Snow Into Dust' which is more of an intro to the next song 'Cherry Red' rather than a stand alone song. 'Cherry Red', however, is wonderfully dark and yet catchy with a strong dominant chorus. It's by far the singalong track on the EP and shows glimpses of the bands potential to be a powerful and individual rock band.

The EP then moves on to 'Cinnamon Girl' which is somewhat similar to 'Cherry Red' and continues to showcase the bands potential. However after several minutes of the same thing it begins to fade into the background and you start to ask for that little bit more.

That little bit more finally arrives with the end of the EP, 'Get With The Times' really highlights October Drift as a band that can slug it out with the big boys. This slower track shows the diversity within the band and their ability to make music at whatever speed and style while still retaining a level of distinction. 'Get With The Times' at this point seems less of a song title and more of a message to those other acts following templates of what came before to make something new.

(7.5/10)

-Luke

Review: Cassels // You Us and They EP

"The you in this song is a real person..." Cassels second EP opens in a blunt and direct way. A style built to popularity by punk rock two-pieces like Drenge and Slaves over the last few years, the two brothers from Oxford now attack it with an apathetic yet youthful view on reality. It's refreshing to hear songs about the NHS and social media which don't dumb down or glamorise and Cassels achieve it without sounding unnecessarily crude.

'You Us and They' - the title track - attacks the political minefield of the NHS. "Why don't they gas the polling station as we line up to vote" lyricist Jim shouts at the climax to the track, a sentiment reflecting a large proportion of public opinion. At the end of the day that's what's going to make a band like Cassels, they're not easy on the ear - it's music for the angry but more importantly music with a meaning.

Once you take away the excellent lyrical part of the band you're left with something that is interesting and musically different. The jarring and jumpy punk riffs give Cassels a sound resonating with the new breed of 21st century punk that's slowly rearing it's head and yet retains an air of individuality.

In a time filled with the kind of discontent towards the establishment amongst young people not seen since the 70's, punk could be back and now that Slaves, Drenge and many more have opened the door to the wider audience, it could be Cassels time to burst right through it. Everywhere in this EP from the politics of 'You Us and Them' to the apathetic attitude of 'Ignoring All The Tunnels & Lights' and the frantic 'Well Fed Worms In A Graveyard' this EP screams potential.

(8.5/10)

-Luke

The EP is released on 12th August 2016 via Big Scary Monsters with two EP release shows before and after the date

Cassels also head out on a co-headline tour with itoldyouiwouldeatyou in September:

11th September - Green Door Store, Brighton
12th September - Whiskey Jar, Manchester
14th September - Santiagos, Leeds
15th September - The Cookie, Leicester
17th September - Birthdays, London

Review: In Requiem // In Requiem

Alt-Rock is currently a very strange scene, metal-heads and rock fans are notoriously difficult to please and have their old school favourites and generally stick to them. People still flock in their droves to see bands like Black Sabbath, Rammestein and Iron Maiden who as a trio people still flock to see despite their almost complete irrelevance to the modern alt-rock music scene.

Pontypridd based In Requiem, in February, released their debut self-titled EP and it shows how a band can reflect those legends of old but still be there own band. 

;In Requiem; was released on 14/02/2016

The 4-piece combine elements of that classic rock sound with synth in a 5 track EP that doesn't break musical boundaries but hints that there is more in this band that meets the eye.

The opening track 'Shelter (Save Me)' opens with a melodic guitar rift before dropping into a quieter synth sequence. At points in the song and the album as a whole the music, at times, reflects the music of Linkin Park. At the same time, In Requiem seem to develop their style throughout the EP, seeming to have found a comfortable sound for them and one that echos through the record. Unfortunately those stubborn rock fans may need a little more convincing than that.

'In Requiem' is a solid debut and an entertaining listen, however it hints that if the band develop certain elements in their music it can push them on to bigger things. 7/10

-Luke