Haunted House Party – The Scribes / J. Boom
A rather different entry to the norm, but deserving of its place in Tracks Of The Week due to the varied, DIY feel to this one. Lo-fi rap and a head-nodding backing beat with the odd touch of minor piano keys resembles a sample beat not unlike that used by the late great MF Doom. Deep-toned, dragged out tuba-like instrumentals offset the higher-pitched keys while an effective bass line acts as the glue which keeps the beat together in a smooth pattern.
To compare the songwriting and flow to DOOM though is unjust and wrong, obviously, and The Scribes and J. Boom should take no disheartening from that. The chorus’ bars also lack that little bit of oomf also, considering the impressive builds of verses prior. Still, ‘Haunted House Party’ is not an amateur attempt by any means. Lyrics are carefully constructed and positioned in a sense which easily moves the listener forward while the congruency of both vocalists in unison is another example of the effective higher-meets-lower tone that the beat excels in, distinguishing the vocals as an apt match for the instrumental backing.
Overall, this submission is definitely different and is more than capable of invoking a foot-tap or two from the listener.
Sweet – Ten Hands High
Great to see an entry from Ten Hands High on Tracks Of The Week. Having formed at the University of Leeds, the quartet found their sound playing local venues in the student city; it’s safe to say they’ve fostered their own distinct alt-indie, summery pop style. Characterised by inoffensive yet relentlessly illuminant guitar, each of the band’s tracks have riffs that stamp their songs with a seal of nostalgia or act as a foreword for hotter days and t-shirt weather.
‘Sweet’ brings deep, softly-spoken vocals which build into longer, drawn out choruses sung in a higher octave, which is a typical approach from the band with that particular singing formula utilised on many occasions. The same lead electric guitar is also prevalent in the style of the Leeds originals and is unwavering throughout the whole track. The constant riff, combined with the usual range of vocals, can begin to get a slight monotonous, especially considering the similarity to the band’s other tracks. Of course, don’t change something that isn’t broken, but on this occasion it would have been nice to see more general variation. Three-quarters of the way through, however, comes a stripped back, quietened build of a verse that is a very welcome change indeed; it ensures listeners are much more geared up for the chorus, which is queued for the final time with a brilliant guitar solo.
‘Sweet’ generally is a quality example of any hazy-day, summer anthem, and is absolutely designed to be played in back gardens or when drinking with friends in a park. It’s this soundscape that Ten Hands High have rather championed, and with ‘Sweet’ flying the flag for said style, it’s more than deserving of its place on Tracks Of The Week.
Valor – In His Glory
Another successful Spanish entry for the second week in a row, this time coming in the form of ‘Valor’ by Mexican outfit In His Glory. Similarly to last week, the track is well situated within skate rock boundaries, with an effective addition of metal style drums evident in the bass kick triplets.
All together the track is straightforward but catchy. Combining the elements of hard-hitting drums with an immense guitar sound which cascades toward the latter stages of the song, you’re met with a feel-good anthem of a punk track that’ll fill you with optimism.
With a poor hold of Spanish, it’s hard for me to comment on the thematic quality of the songwriting, though the way in which such lyrics are sung are genuinely quite impressive, with the balance between longer, drawn out verses and shorter, punchier parts being the undoubted best aspect of the track.
Everything else is timed very well, illustrated in the perfectly-queued cuts from the drums and guitar which help to punctuate key lyrics. Collectively, each element of the song comes together in an established way and, though the track doesn’t venture out of the confinements of it’s genre, In His Glory have seemingly stuck to what they know best; with Valor they’ve created a rather basic but fun track that’s relatively difficult to fault.