Mass!ve Attack.
Hello my friends, glad you could join me as I undertake the incredibly difficult yet envious task of championing the new breed of Rock music. Without the necessary support and coverage, there will be no music scene to enjoy, and many shattered dreams left by the wayside. This is my second adventure with my friends Y!KES, who would like to share their new EP with us all.
Comprising five feisty and boisterous tunes to shoo away those undesirable elements that have taken permanent residence during lockdown. Strap yourselves in folks, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride! The single ‘Pirouette’ gets us underway – see review here.
And it’s a chance to break for the border or get left behind in the misery.
Take a trip down the rabbit hole and meet ‘Alice’ a weirdly, other worldly outing, enough to make your blood curdle, but you need to take the spade out of your mouth first. It’s like a time warp; illusion meeting fantasy equating to a seriously delusional and mind-bending affair.
In ‘Door Frame Angel’ she seeks to ‘terrify me with ambitions that I don’t quite understand’ and there is that subtle horror movie, sinister presence, just an inkling, but enough to send this track skywards leaving a mountain of dust in its wake.
There are recognisable influences here, notably a throwback to the 90’s grunge scene, not a bad thing though as it has been dragged kicking and screaming into the here and now by these lads who complete that dishevelled edge with the most aerodynamic of jawlines. The aesthetic is wacky and wonderful, trashy and tasteful a la Vivienne Westwood perhaps.
‘Faker’ takes me straight to New York Dolls territory, as Oli lures us with the switchblades at dawn inspired vocals, his larynx lovingly rubbed down with sandpaper, oh my….
The rest of the troop strum and drum away contentedly, a proper hats off moment for me personally. We end with ‘Step Away’ which gives us some summery, floral notes, catchy beats, finding their place in the city heat.
It’s time to stop guilt tripping bands that are trying to make a living, it’s a brave step to wear your heart on your sleeve, excluding or just ignoring what these artists have to offer could be a massive error of judgement.
Y!kes – Mass!ve – out on 28th August via self -release.