Downers

Northern four-piece band Downers released their second EP Noose on August 1st.

Opening track Erazed is the perfect way to start off the EP, with the constant structure of loud-quiet-loud-quiet to make an intoxicating listen. The original lyrics based around frontman Bobby’s recurring lucid dream that he is invisible has created something completely different from any other love or aggression based song.

Graze is very much inspired by alternative rock band Smashing Pumpkins with the overpowering guitar against the slightly distorted vocals. I find the grungy rock song full of catchy riffs, especially the powerful intro to kick it off. The use of silence contrasting with the heavy guitar makes fantastic variation within the song.

The EP finishes with ‘Grown Out’ which follows similar structures to the other two songs but has a Nirvana quality to it. With moody verses contrasting with heavy choruses, the lyrics are very Kurt Cobain-esque.

The EP is almost impossible to critique. The band have found their own style describing themselves as a “grunge pop-rock group”, which is 100% accurate and original. Perhaps Downers could search for a bit more modulated sound by having more oomph in areas but really the sound is so infectious but edgy that the band can hardly be flawed. The thrilling EP has only made me excited for more material to come.