Fades

FADES – never heard of them? Here’s two reasons why: firstly, they’ve only been around for two years and, for one of those years, they were known as the more indecipherably-named, Metasic. The five-piece, London-based alternative rock band already have a pithy EP to their name – Falling into Place. In a few weeks their eponymous EP will drop, signifying their rebranding and evolution whilst still emanating some semblance of their prototypal shtick.

Here is a band that has made necessary changes to be a bit more commercially attractive. They’ve sanded down the jagged edges and perked up the positive energy. The result is something toeing the fine line between time-honourable and nauseatingly nostalgic. FADES EP is not only anachronistic but it sounds as if it’s also out of its jurisdiction. As a result, much of it now sounds like a tribute to Californian rockers, Queens of the Stone Age.

On their previous EP, FADES were darker and harder – in many ways, bolder. Not much has changed in terms of energy and there are still those thrashing, punchy guitar licks, but there’s a discernible melodiousness to it all now; there’s a greater balance between chaos and control that keeps this EP excitingly unpredictable structurally but, ultimately, always aware of maintaining a wider appeal.

Catchy is the buzzword I’m attempting to avoid but there’s just no getting away from it – this EP goes for the catchy approach. Notably, FADES still deliver emotive, illustrative lyricism, only this time they conjure up images of a helter-skelter of experiences, both dark and light. But, from the verses to the simple, short statement choruses, this EP makes for easy, digestible listening largely. There are moments of experimentation – most notably with the final track, ‘Everybody Knows’, which is inspired by smooth acid jazz with its haunting Rhodes and simple drum rudiments – but, overall, there’s not much to distinguish FADES apart from many other rock bands on the circuit.