With their now-trademark blend of alt-rock, shoegaze and grunge, the new EP from Leeds-based guitar heroes Lozenge gets off to a banging start.
The opening track Silver absolutely kicks the door in and takes zero prisoners. No let-up, no slowing down, no remorse is the band’s M.O. here. My Bloody Valentine’s scuzz pairs with New Order basslines and massive thundering drums. Previously reviewed by Grubby at the start of the year, Silver has lost none of its shine.
It’s followed by another prior single. For Lack Of Trying is as good as we remember it from when we reviewed it upon its release as a single back in March. The melody reminds us, in places, of Surfer Blood’s best work – although obviously distorted by a thick curtain of noise. With a blend of the fuzzy ambition of Hotline TNT (which they previously supported) and the expertise of Smashing Pumpkins, Lozenge are clearly very serious about what they do and very good at it.
The third track, Birds-Eye View, is a hypnotic, whirlpool of a song. Enveloping and powerful, it casts a spell on you that you’re helpless to try to resist. Skunk Anansie-like heft blended with DIIV-esque tones makes for a killer combo and leaves you feeling like you’re being sucked down into an abyss. This one was the most recent single, before the full EP dropped and was covered – quite beautifully – last month, by Will. You can read that here.
The EP concludes with the title track. The only brand-new song here, Everything takes the pace down and strips things back a little. Employing an acoustic guitar for what we think is the first time and sounding more like Bush or Garbage in the verses, this subdued state is a welcome change of pace. It doesn’t last long, though; it soon gives way in the chorus to a fantastic noise and, with an instrumental break that reminds us of Nevermind-era Nirvana, the band is certainly in good company.
If this band keep heading in this direction, we reckon there’s no stopping them. Remember the name.
Written by Kinda Grizzly
