There is a basic craving in each of us to be seen, heard and known. Yet, in our hyperconnected world, many of us have never felt more alone or disconnected from society. These are ideas which Hertfordshire quartet Gold Key have explored in their second album ‘Panic Machine’, released on 1st May.
Signposting the return of Gold Key was their hard-hitting single, and opening track, ‘Sweet Darkness’. This track perfectly encompasses the key themes and ideas found throughout the new album. It particularly draws on the idea of accepting yourself as you are and embracing it! The rumbling drums make the introduction adrenaline fuelling and exciting, a great way to start an album.
Following this is ‘Don’t Sleep’ and ‘Shallows’. While ‘Don’t Sleep’ comes in with its striking riffs and gritty vocals, ‘Shallows’ offers a complete contrast with its delicate piano introduction and faded vocals. The changes in tone present a different side to Gold Key and keep the listener on their toes.
Powerful, pure rock song ‘Mechanical World’ hypes you back up with its addictive beats. It’s a song about feeling suffocated by the world, not being able to shut off from technology, and how we deal with a world full of distractions.
After the faint distortion that was ‘Trick Of The Light’ comes ‘Enceladus’. With slight indie rock vibes in the introduction, this is a marginally more slow paced track, touching on dark flights of fancy about living on an ice encased planet.
‘Strain’ and ‘Human’ are reflective songs, dwelling on the endless struggles of day to day life. Their relaxed, carefree tone is set out by the drawn out riffs and vocals, bringing a new unheard sound to the album.
‘Fly Into The Sun’ is a protest song about the importance of acting now to save the planet. Its rough, unusual sound make it stand out against the rest of the album, along with ‘A Crack In The Earth’. Both tracks explore a more experimental sound, but it doesn’t quite do Gold Key justice.
Finishing the album off after the cacophony of distortion that was ‘Million’, is ‘The Best Of Luck’. This track is about crippling jealousy and this is reflected in its dreary tone. It’s not the most uplifting way to end an album, but a somewhat relatable message nevertheless.