Invaders EP Review
Their self titled upcoming debut album - to be released June 24th, will give us insight into their outstanding rise to fame.
rating: 3
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/InvadersMusiq Release date - 24th June Is it their good looks? Knack for performance? Or simply just because their passion for music emulates in their songs. Either way, Invaders are taking the UK music scene by storm. Only forming as a group last year in sunny Australia, they have grown with haste to perform in big venues and supporting big acts. This includes sharing the stage with the much loved and critically praised AWOLNATION and Arcane Roots representing HMVs Next Big Thing and also not forgetting upcoming shows with Kids in Glass House and playing Germanys Mera Luna Festival. Their self titled upcoming debut album - to be released June 24th, will give us insight into their outstanding rise to fame. The debut single Hummingbird is the first track off their album which definitely backs their definition of themselves of a mix of tasteful electronics, atmospheric guitars and soaring vocals. It opens with a fairly average drum beat (something which you may expect any band to do at least once), but then some sort of electro-fuzz kicks in creating a beat before the vocals overlap. The vocals start fairly soft, which makes me think yeah, I can get along with this. Continuing to listen though, through the first verse the vocals really do soar like an eagle to the point where I then realize this bands potential. The lyrics are insightful, the bands instruments blend well and it sounds like a lot of time and effort went into this song alone, so you can already fight off that amateur hour pre-judgement (as they haven't been formed very long after all). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=744ay-KPrXo Be careful what you wish for, you might end up with more. An inspirational line from the chorus of Hummingbird. A great sense of the journey of love (being my interpretation anyway), giving the impression, yes they are alternative, but still have the generic roots of any artist expressing common situations and emotional problems. Having gone through the first song several times I have high hopes to what the other 4 tracks have to offer. The second track Vapour is quite different from the somewhat mainstream style of Hummingbird. This track combines a type of dub-step beat with layered vocals from the get go. The difference from what you might expect from this description, is that it has a very chilled out and relaxed vibe. With closed eyes, I can only imagine this song accompanying a soundtrack for a fast paced action film with a heavy love interest, something like the Amazing Spider Man (but I mean this in a positive fashion obviously). Never the less, it is a powerful song. A somewhat power ballad of electronics and background guitars if that is possible. I don't think I could even attempt to relate this song to one that I have heard previously. Its originality is a factor of enjoyment. Track 3, Stand Still and Listen is overall similar to the style and structure of Vapour, however when it starts and the only thing I initially think of is The Prodigy. After the introduction, it then dies down to soft steady lyrics and a slow drum beat, with the odd pre chorus and beat-down filled with intense drum and bass. A song which is individual to Invaders but in some ways could be compared to Pendulum or Prodigy, just with a singer capable of holding those higher notes. Heard of Innerpartysystem? Like them? Then you are bound to like this song. Threes A Crowd is very distinguishable to that of Innerpartysystem's American Trash, consisting of sharp guitar and electronic noises with that ever present jerky, but catchy bass line. My concern for these types of songs are the typical lack of lyrical originally, as when most bands/artists use drum and bass, electronics or dub-step, it seems the lyrics are just thrown together. I can safely say this is not one of those typical cases as the theme of insanity or being driven crazy thrives off the fast paced beats and jagged effects at times. A song which is easily becoming my favorite off of the album. Finally listening to English Sky I think to myself, how can one band create successful music in so many different music styles? It seems most tracks off their EP vary greatly in general atmosphere and mood they intend to create. Many artists create song after song in the same style so they know their fans will (hopefully) love song after song. I do not believe a listener will be in favor of every song on their EP, but this doesn't mean they are bad, not at all. English Sky is a piano infused soft vocal layered track with quite obscure guitar in the background. Although it has its moments of being built up in momentum and effects, it maintains itself in going back to that piano rhythm. A quite sad song due to the mood of it all, however still well put together. Overall it seems Invaders are capable of everything and anything. Each track is individual sometimes being able to compared to very different bands, but still having small segments and sounds for you to think, yep, that's Invaders alright. Don't be too upset if you are not a fan of every track as some differ a lot from one another in style and created mood. However I sincerely do not think this will affect their fan base to any degree, quite the opposite actually. It could well be a characteristic most bands need to start doing and achieving professionally crafted music where they could become big hits in several genres. Either way, as anticipated by HMV and many other individuals such as myself, this band is one to keep an eye on.