EP Review: Koala - Molecules

Molecules is the latest in a line of admirable EPs from the young Bradford quartet Koala. The band make upbeat and uptempo indie rock songs with influence from all corners such as math and alternative genres. The girl fronted four-piece's sound is certainly one of the most distinctive and unique locally, in a scene often inundated by wave after wave of below par pop-punk bands, Koala produce a blend of tight intricate drums, speedy riffs and floating female vocals which always stays interesting and compelling.

For fans of: Tall Ships // Everything Everything // Foals

The EP starts with 'Prefix' the mix of pleasingly jangly guitar riffs and thundering drums moving through the gears dynamically, shifting from from intricate stuttering math rock, to blistering guitar riffs and build-ups leading to euphoric high points; a great start. The EP then slips into 'Earth, Wind & Jack' joining powerful chords with with whirling riffs and muted guitar. The drums here are also very enjoyably stuttered and jittery. 'Molecules' the title track has some great riffs, perhaps the most catchy lyrics from the EP and exactly the right amount of cowbell. FAT is another highlight from what is overall a very strong EP and has some of my favourite lyrics; shouting "I've drowned that girl"; this combined with the stunning vocal work on the track and guitars centring around fast and furious chords results in probably the best track from the EP.

Overall the sound of the EP is very strong, creating an accomplished feel that can be both intricate and powerful and which belies their years. The vocals are strong throughout and give the tracks of focal point in what can often be quite a hectic mix of sounds and tempos. Likewise, musically the EP stays interesting and complex, often putting shame to many 4 chord generic bands around. Although some of the tracks possibly aren't as distinctive as Molecules and FAT or previous songs such as 'Josephine' and 'Lead Me From This Town' - download that EP here, the tracks are still strong and possibly tighter than earlier releases and result in another one in a great line of releases, here's to a full-length album in the future?

8/10

Tracklist:
Prefix
Earth, Wind & Jack (only available with a download of the album)
Molecules
FAT

Download the EP here

 Facebook // Youtube // Bandcamp

The band are also playing live in Leeds at The Cockpit on Tuesday 9th July for the Futuresound competition which give bands a chance to play at Reading and Leeds festivals; get along and lend your support!

Contact the band for tickets at: koalaband@yahoo.co.uk

Track Review: Witch Hunt - Crawl // Chairman

Witch Hunt are a Leeds based, two piece alt-rock band with a massive sound that belies their modest two guitar and vocal set up. With influences such as Thom Yorke, Portishead and Warpaint, coincidentally some of my favourite artists, the result is an impressive output of atmospheric rock, capable of more restrained and darker songs such as 'Crawl', as well as far more ballsy and rockier tracks such as 'Chairman'. The band first caught my attention as I was trawling through the depths of the 'Live at Leeds' lineup; a festival I was gutted to miss on account of bands such Witch Hunt, Savages, Peace and Everything Everything.

For fans of: Daughter // The White Stripes // Anna Calvi // Warpaint

'Crawl' is a real gem of a track and also the one that I heard first and caught my attention. The guitar-work is intricate and the tone is wonderfully atmospheric and shimmering. The atmosphere of the song is also brilliant, it's spacious, rich and  not completely overwashed by reverb (a tool bands like Foals often rely a little too heavily on) showing this song is also very well produced and also proving that rock bands do not need to rely on drums for a great track. Then of course there is the vocals; the lead singer Louisa has a real belter of a voice and this tracks allows it to reach its full potential, allowing her to hang on notes, complementing the vast echo of the track. The lyrics similarly are wonderfully dark and complementary to the feel of the track, also remaining the right side of relatable and compelling without straying into cliche territory.



9/10

'Chairman' is a slightly different beast, this track dominated by drums and a killer riff. The drums are very interesting and a little unorthodox on this track (putting me in mind of 'Stepson' by Foals) showing this is more than your average rock track. The dual guitars taking high and lower pitches provide solid riffs throughout, but these along with several subtle alterations to the riffs, song structure and fading in and out of drums in this song, do more than enough to lift it far away from mundanity and keep it interesting - a skill that has often become the trademark of bands such as Radiohead and certainly a welcome addition to this track. The vocals here are also different, slightly lower and grittier but just as capable of delivering a raw punch of volume and emotion into the lyrics.



8/10


The band are also playing live at the following dates:

08/07 Cockpit - Leeds - Future Sound Competition * - Tickets
13/07 DV8 Festival - York
21/07 Tramlines Festival - Sheffield
27/07 Fell Foot Sound Festival - The Lake District

* Here the band will be playing for a place to play Reading and Leeds Festivals, go along and support!

Website // Facebook // Soundcloud // Youtube

Contact: wearethewitchhunt@hotmail.co.uk