Review 7

EAGULLS - EAGULLS

PARTISAN RECORDS 2014
BY OSCAR NICHOLAS 

When an old formula is given a fresh take magic can happen. Eagulls self titled, debut LP is solid and hard hitting. The new wave, punk rockers fill the album with reverbed riffs and shouts of passion. Like an angry Joy Division, the band pound through the album with a raw style.

Opening track Nerve Endings starts things off with a high tempo, misty punk explosion. Hard drum beats, heavy bass and phased guitar work perfectly with the howling vocals of George Mitchell overlaying. 'Still nerve endings, Still nerve endings wont die' are the lyrics that peak the power house track, perfect for a punk sing-a-long. As an opening track, Eagulls go full throttle and don't hold back throughout the album.

Based in Leeds the five piece are adding to the so called 'guitar band revival'. Eagulls are gaining attention in the US, recently performing Possessed on The David Letterman Show, they are bringing their grundgy ora to the masses.  Their debut LP has that attitude and undertone that gives them the rebel appeal.

Although raw, they show in Eagulls they can be catchy too. Tough Luck the fourth track on the record has a more melody driven backbone. Echoing vocals give the track an element of space and repetitive cries of 'tough luck'  lead over fast passed guitar and drum layers.

The manner lyrics are cried, screamed and expelled shows the passion in the record. Footsteps and Fester / Blister are breathtaking displays of throat power (literally from some band members). The tracks swoop in and out of hard beating drums and guitar to unexpectedly soothing bridges that build you back to the full slam of their sound.

Through all the feedback and attitude Eagulls debut is not going to be a record to slip through the radar. They are set for a multi-continental, mammoth tour with dates set until August so far. Eagulls are not a new band either, they have been working on their craft for years and this might be a crucial moment to leave the stain they want.

They end the album with Soulless Youth, which has similarity to a previous single Council Flat Blues. As they started the record with power and attitude they end it, howling the songs tittle over the buzzing sound into a fade.

Rating: 9

Exceptional Single: 1

THE ACID - BASIC INSTINCT

INFECTIOUS MUSIC UK 2014
BY OSCAR NICHOLAS


Sometimes with truly great music it is impossible to pin point why it has such attraction. Under layers and layers of care there might be something that makes it exceptional but it could just as easily be a combination of everything. Everything in its right place, timed to perfection with the right amount of passion. A song that can change the pace of your heartbeat. Although perceptions of sound vary depending on the individual and their ideas of perfection, some music seems to stand above. To have a piece of sound that provokes such feeling is not an everyday event.


The Acid - Basic Instinct, this is one of those songs that make you want to blurt out cliches about the hairs on your neck and the unsteadiness of your heartbeat. The first encounter with Basic Instinct is an experience, heightened by the music video from Dugan O'Neal (available at Nowness).

Consisting of Brighton based Adam Freeland, Californian artist Steve Nalepa and Australian producer Ry X. The Acid aim to make genre-less music. The combination of acoustic guitar, electronic hits and noisy distorted peaks build tension beautifully. All toped by soothing vocals that haunt your ears and layer into harmonies that eventually explode with the screams of "I'm tired of your warning". It then turns into a haze and fades out. 

The music video was created especially for their first track and features LA dance group WIFE. The slow-motion, out of this world movement and visual imagery compliments the music perfectly. 

The Acid's self titled, debut EP is to be released 14th April.

Rating: 10