A impressively intense, emotional, passionate, energised, dark, philosophical-political cross-genre cosmic jazz-prog-punk-hip-hop-hardcore generational debut LP by the Manchester quartet with with lyrics spanning love, death, social issues, world affairs and mental health. Addressing a turbulent world, their sound immediately recalls Rage Against the Machine but with added saxophone. Opener Bloodsport (“It's an eye for an eye, every man for himself/ In this place we are the parasites that only saw wealth … Find another way 'cause the pressure's got us choking / Swallowing our fears till our kids are overdosing”) is a thunderous beginning with a stormy, blisteringly voluminous angry sound, as is Trenches - “Generations cuffed by the ghosts of their past / Screaming out for change when the puppet show masks / A sickening parade”. But perhaps the most powerful is Look Down On Us - an epic depiction of public pain and a a powerful salvo at manipulative billionaires and oligarchs in a song that moves through several sections like a terrifying weather system, but ultimately calls out for love. After the thunder and blood and anger of that track, Saoirse is a more tender, and beautiful, calmer and more personal cri-de-coeur but still ends with crashing mayhem alongside chorus that calls out “It's our differences that make us beautiful”. Born to Die is another epic, at over 10 minutes, moving through moods and oceanic sections of sound and seeking a universal sense of redemption. It’s a serious, high-minded, socially conscious release, sincere, angry and also seeking solutions, but that is all very heavy, what’s most impressive is the passion and sheer dynamism and scale of sound produced by Harry Wilkinson, Joe Carroll, Matt Buonaccorsi and Jacob Hayes on this full debut following six EPs and nine years of playing and touring - they are also an exceptional experience live. Out on Music For Nations.
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