With a frenetic energy and tempo but with a tone and texture that seems to contradict itself, the new tune from Manchester trio The Empty Page is quite the dichotomous prospect.
Musically, sheets of hazy, sludgy MBV-style guitars share space with Interpol-esque basslines, Bloc Party/The Cribs-style riffage and persistent, driving rhythms.
All this is topped off with a soaring, snarling, spitting vocal courtesy of singer and bassist Kel Page. Her delivery oscillates between punky and alt-rock vibes but is always assured and full of conviction and authority. Special mention must be made to the overlapping vocals in the closing coda – the addition of the “are you gonna break my heart?” backing vocal is *chef’s kiss* and is a fitting end to an epic odyssey of a song.
When We Gonna Run? is everything and nothing all at once – in the best possible way. It will fit in neatly alongside your other classic tracks on your faithful post-punk/shoegaze playlists, but it also stands defiantly alone.
That being said, if you like this, check out Hazy Waters – another band we reviewed recently, who this reminded us a bit of.
Written by Kinda Grizzly
