MONEY - Suicide Songs

MONEY Find Pleasure In the Darkest Depression

MONEY are a band who's music tends to focus on the darkest oblivion. Their debut in 2013 saw them uphold the melancholic tradition that is held true within the indie scene of Manchester (re: the Smiths and Joy Division). And their follow up is no different.  

To describe the music on this album I'd have to throw comparisons to the rich and fruitful instrumentals of Pink Floyd (it's a big name to be compared to, but MONEY give off strong vibes), especially in tracks 'I Am the Lord' and 8-minute long, middle mark 'Night Came', which is a fantastic listen and a runaway success as a longer length track. 

Lyrically I'd throw names out like; The World is a Beautiful Place, especially their earlier releases. 'I'm Not Here' is a track that stares down the inevitability of death to the point where this track seems like it's coming from the mind of a man with Coutard's Dellusion (Google it) vocally this track is absolutely beautiful too. 

'Suicide Song' is the shortest track on the album. Clocking in at only 2 minutes long, it is very eerie in its brief presence, instrumentally backed up by an acoustic guitar and harmonising brass instruments, the lyrics seemed to be aimed directly at the listener, or someone in particular, and is a song that definitely stuck with me when the record concluded. 

MONEY take you deeper into their dark and desperate sound with 'Suicide Songs'. With lyrics that are more poetic than ever and their most colourful instrumentals yet. This has to be strong Mercuary Prize contender. 

9/10

INDIE / DREAM POP / ART ROCK

FAV TRACKS: I'm Not Here - Night Came - Suicide Song

LEAST FAV TRACKS:

Basement - Promise Everything

Nothing New From Returning Favorites

Back in 2012, Basement crushed the majority of the UK's Post-Hardcore scene by announcing their break up, this coming months after their breakthrough album 'Colourmeinkindness' saw the group incorporate more shoegaze, indie and emo aspects to their grungy, modern-rock sound. The album's musical quality mixed with vocal skills and tattoo-worthy lyrics gave the album 'Masterpiece Status'. So it's no surprise that they were welcomed back with open arms in 2014 when they announced a comeback.

Basement's return record 'Promise Everything', is everything we've heard from the Ipswich fivesome, and a little less. Every song seems to rotate around the same grungy guitar chords, there's only a couple of real highlights in the whole album. The melody-lead single 'Aquasun' which also signals the album's lyrical and vocal highlights, is probably the best track on here. 'Oversized' shows a very Weezer-esqe sound, with soft guitars and calming vocals, this track is probably furthest away from the dull nature of the surrounding record.

So to sum it up, Basement's return is nothing short of a huge let down, but god knows how much their droves of tumblr fans adore it.

5/10

ALTERNATIVE ROCK / POST-HARDCORE / EMO INDIE T'ING

FAV TRACKS: Aquasun - Oversized

LEAST FAV TRACKS: Hanging Around - Lose Your Grip - Halo