It's been a while but Villainous Folk is back writing for the foreseeable future with more artist spotlights, festival previews and music reviews on the way. First here's something we missed while on hiatus - a new EP from VF favourites The Witch Hunt (see our previous review here)
The Witch Hunt (formerly just 'Witch Hunt') are an alternative/atmospheric rock duo from Leeds who have been going from strength to strength in the last year since I last reviewed them. Fresh off the success of slots at high-profile events such as Live at Leeds and Tramlines, as well as Leeds Festival (and soon Beacons Festival which I will be attending) they have released their debut EP - 'A Little Book Of Hate'.
Nowhere is this perhaps more evident than on the opening track 'Army Man'. This track is the perfect opener for the EP, slow to start, it builds up from lovely delayed rim-shots accompanied by howling guitar drones building to an incredible crescendo. The whispering echo on the vocals gives the track an almost claustrophobic feel to it with the weight of sounds filling the track as well. This song also showcases Louisa's voice perfectly, it really is a belter of a voice that lifts a lot of the songs on this EP. Its also nice to see a change from the tendency at the moment for vocals which are very much 'an acquired taste'. Voices such as those of John Newman, Alt-J's Joe Newman (no relation to the former I believe) and Sam Smith, all take some getting used to; those on this EP do not however.
'One Big Bite' provides slightly more straight rock fodder, but still has those small flourishes of production and instrumentation that lift it above anything that could be called mundane or ordinary. This track also sees the band's development to focus on more choruses and hooks which make their music which is already interesting, far more accessible. This is also seen on the next track 'Wide and Laughing'.
'Wide and Laughing' is probably my favourite track on this EP and I think it is possibly one of their most well-rounded. The vocals here slip back and forth between sweeter tones and the more familiar blast of volume from Louisa. I also love the shuffling drum beat (interesting and innovative percussion being one of the band's big positives) which puts me in mind of Wild Beasts' 'Daughter' - the album of which I will hopefully be reviewing soon.
The second half of the EP is slightly slower in pace as it winds down. This allows tracks such as 'Can You Believe It' to give more prominence to Louisa's vocals and Chris's guitar-work. Lyrically, the band explores interesting facets of the usual suspects of angst-ridden rock - relationships, emotions and the like - yet not ever straying anywhere near cliche.
The final and title track 'Little Book of Hate' provides an excellent end to the EP. It is slower, softer and less abrasive and intense than any of the tracks that came before it, which showcases the balance that this EP has. It shows that this EP does exactly what it should do - show the versatility and potential of a new band.
This EP shows an uncanny level of competence and maturity in songwriting and you'd be forgiven for thinking that this weren't this first major release. This release therefore makes it very promising for the future as it seems to both address what the band do well, as well as trying to expand upon it. A greater focus on experimenting as well as emphasis on hooks, choruses and melodies will really help the band go to the next level - but it seems in this EP they have made more than bounds in that direction.
9/10
On a side note, the vinyl they produced for this EP is fucking gorgeous. I've seen vinyls as block colours, clear, and even in odd shapes but this purple explosion is best of all.
As with all of their other music you can support them directly by buying it from their Bandcamp page.
If you want to catch The Witch Hunt live, they are performing the following live dates:
- 4th July - King Of The Mountain Festival
- 20th July - Belgrave Music Hall - Leeds
- 7th August - The Adelphi - Hull
- 8th August - Beacons Festival
- 13th September - Long Division Festival - Wakefield
