DEMOS

Image: Tin Ribs by Ethan McLaughlin

WORDS: TOM ASTLEY

DEMO OF THE MONTH

Tin Ribs – The Ratman of Hustler’s Bridge

Even in a brief review of the musical aspects of Tin Ribs’ new track, it is worth mentioning their background picture is Sunderland’s Kevin Phillips being worshipped by an Elvis impersonator. And I can’t help falling in love with that! The track itself has a scuzzy, lo-fi garage rock feel to it, with acerbically delivered mantra-like vocals. The track is much more accurately visually described by the band pic – cans of Red Stripe in front of a graffitied wall with buddleia growing out of it. There’s a catchiness to this track, and Tin Ribs are certainly worth looking out for if you’re a fan of punchy bedroom-recorded punk.

www.tinribs.bandcamp.com

Jack Rae – Sunset And Flowers

Jack Rae’s Sunset And Flowers follows up on some of the 60s psychedelia that the title evokes. Sample-driven and hazy, reverse guitar, and whirlpools of delay, eclectic and intricate, the track has a flavour of The Avalanches’ more kaleidoscopic works. Again, though, it’s over before it’s begun – the track is less than a minute and half. Am I wrong to think a track like this should be straying into the six minute territory? It certainly has the sounds and ideas to sustain attention that long.

www.instagram.com/jack_rae

Gloamer – Nazi-Blade

There are some very accomplished elements in this new track by Gloamer (good band name), Nazi-Blade (scary song title). Particularly impressive is the vocal dexterity, necessary in this subgenre of metal, which travels from thought-provoking verse and belted out melodic lines in the chorus to full-on primal screams at the end. The complex, but always head-bangable, drum patterns, the lush distorted guitars and thick bass contribute to a very well-rounded track. All of which gives a sound reminiscent of Tool, an incredibly tough sound to be emulating, which Gloamer do an admirable job of accomplishing, precisely because beyond the drop-tuning djents and full-throated screams there’s some deceptively melodic parts that really carry the track into multiple listens.

www.instagram.com/gloamermusic

Eve Kills The Sun – You Got Me

The opening drums to You Got Me by Eve Kills The Sun are reminiscent of the song Maniac from Flashdance, which is a very tough act to follow. The track has a polished produced indie pop flavour to it, and if that’s the mood you’re in, this tune scratches the itch. Jangly electric guitar chords that maybe evoke a more polished early-Arctic Monkeys cement a backing track that values precision and perfection over anything too flashy, which allows the melismatic vocals to take centre stage. There are some aspects that don’t quite hang together – the drums seem a little at odds with the guitar-driven indie vibe, but it’s certainly worth a listen.

www.facebook.com/evekillsthesun

The Fabulist – Toku

Ambient dreamy sounds come in the form of Toku by The Fabulist. Glistening, scratchy synth sounds wander from ear to ear, panned over a solid bass which melts into a pad of synth strings. It’s all very nebulous and dreamy, but at a shade over two and a half minutes, it’s over before the daydream has begun. Definitely one to have on repeat to fully realise that sun in the eyes, half awake feeling.

www.instagram.com/thefabulistmusic