The Blackout - Start The Party When your third album marks a growth and maturity for the band, album number four has a few options. Where The Blackout could have gone down an experimental route, or gone electro like so many others, they instead opted for 'Start The Party' to be a down and dirty rock 'n' roll onslaught that does exactly what it says on the tin. Following the general party cheers and smashing that opens the record, a one of the main themes rears its head immediately: this feels more rock 'n' roll than any of their previous work in the guitar, with an undeniable groove and grind. 'Radio' is a banger, teaming the bold guitar work and sleek licks with a cleaner cut vocal from the guys. Each track packs some punch; 'Keep Singing' is the first to open without a rocky attack, though the comparative restraint of the track makes it a stand out. From here on in the album seems less grinding and more bouncy, with 'Running Scared' being one of the catchiest there is on offer. 'You' is the album's slow acoustic number that, in the midst of party tracks, can jolt the listener - nice, yet not necessarily fluid. The record closes with a throwback - 'Throw It All Away' feels an amalgamation of their biggest hits, fused into one cohesive hit. "We're still the best in town," they claim. Well, this album would certainly suggest so. HM
Bleach Blood - The Young Heartbreakers Club A band's debut is a chance to show the world what they're capable of, more often than not cramming a lot into a few minutes. Bleach Blood do just this in the meagre 13 minutes of 'The Young Heartbreakers EP', finding various blends of cultures from emphatic 70s synths to the aggressive punk attitude. 'Let Your Heart Sing' has a rocky finesse before launching into the verse's synthy backing. The chorus is easy to get your head around - repetitive in its lyrics but catchy nonetheless; feeling more a solid start to build from than a track to steal the EP. Successor 'Bleached Blood' is dark and unsettling, a completely new band to the addictive and catchy offering just witnessed. Their dark tale jolts the listener, though their culture clash is still evident, with synth undertones adding a sharp oddity.
'The Young Heartbreakers Club' feels almost candy-floss sweet. Is this the same band who seemed almost murderous a moment ago? Catchy and heartfelt following a break-up, the chorus explodes into life to steal the offering. Closer 'I Was Born In A Rave' flits from fusing punk to utilising throwbacks to trance in their breakdowns, closing things with another display of their two biggest influences. It's a lot to take in 13 minutes, but this screams diversity. Their sound may be far from cohesive right now, but this EP shows promise of a band who have many sides to show. HM