Single: ‘Never Awake’ EP – 50 hertz

Released: Out Now

Web: www.50hertz.co.uk

In Brief…
A heady mixture of dark sounds, energetic blasts and the odd frenzy.  This EP is like drinking a half; by the end you want to go and order another.

8/10

Full Review...
Turn out the lights, the volume up high and press play. The first track, ‘Never Awake’ – sounds dark, and that’s just how it starts.  Within the first twenty seconds the room is thick with atmosphere, the track building up to something, but you’re not quite sure what.  Crash!  The track explodes with raw energy.  Several times throughout, the energetic sound is tamed, giving rise to that dark, uneasy feeling before the beast is suddenly released again.  You’re left with that “wow, I’d like to see these live” feeling.

‘Panic Attack’ starts out deceptively cheerily, and just when you’re wondering if this really is the same band develops into an Ed Harcourt style frenzy then relaxation.  A few moments later you’re led into thinking that the frenzy is going to start again to end the track.  No!  Instead a simply beautiful finish leaves you feeling uplifted.  Breathe deeply.

The last track ‘Only Human’ mixes the dark, Elbow-esque sounding nature of ‘Never Awake’ with the lighter feel of ‘Panic Attack’.  But by the end it’s just not enough and you’re left reaching for the repeat button.

8/10

Austin Booth