The new single from My Best Unbeaten Brother starts innocuously enough. Unassuming and subdued, a single guitar is strummed before being joined by a rhythm section that mirrors its simplicity and efficiency.
The Croydon trio are clearly considered in their approach to songwriting and, as such, The All Encompassing Need To Say Goodbye continues in this way for the foreseeable. In fact, it doesn’t deviate much from this musical motif at all. But instead of ending up being boring, it is compelling and captivating – like watching a bubble floating in the sunshine and waiting for it to burst.
There is a short, sharp explosion within the last 40 seconds or so that provides a release from the tension and anticipation – an exorcism of sorts – but, if we’re being honest, it’s the vocal delivery of frontman, guitarist, and vocalist Ben Parker that keeps us locked in.
His distinctive, largely spoken-word vocal style is reminiscent of cult favourite Eddie Argos or perhaps The Rakes Alan Donohoe and is imbued with an increasing urgency that at times borders on desperation. The “end of an era” section is also cut from a similar cloth to the early work – specifically the “just a band” part of Thou Shalt Always Kill – of Scroobius Pip, listen out for it.
And then of course, there are the robots. Yes, robots. With his tongue firmly pressed against his cheek, Parker pontificates over “who’s gonna headline Glastonbury when all the legends are dead?” – a fair question. He wonders aloud if “the industry” will compensate for this potential decline in notable, bookable, box office acts by resorting to duplicating artists in the form of autonomous robots instead. (Hey, is it really such a crazy suggestion? We already have performing holograms and robot waiters and whatnot. We’d say it’s definitely something to think/worry about.) He then goes on to fret about whether the newly created “robot legends” will approach their mandated task with love or eventually end up fostering resentment. He’s certainly asking some big questions. Can you imagine if Terminator was set at Worthy Farm? Shudder the thought.
The band has a couple of live London dates coming up, and we’d recommend trying to get down if you can. We know we will!
Written by Kinda Grizzly
