EP REVIEW: Queen Cult – Be Better

’…the sound of a band unleashed, producing a collection of fiery punk bangers…’

Based out of Macclesfield, Queen Cult emerged onto the alternative rock scene in 2019, and immediately made a splash with their debut single ‘Shindigger’, which was picked up by BBC Introducing. Since then, it’s been a rollercoaster for the band, competing with internal line-up changes and external difficulties such as the pandemic. However, now a three-piece with a strong live reputation, it seems like the time is right for one of England’s most underrated outfits to take off, with their brand new EP ‘Be Better’.

Just as with their ‘Woman That I Know’ and ‘For Now, Not Forever’ EPs, ‘Be Better’ sees the band sonically evolve once again. Those alternative rock vibes that have carried the band since their inception are still present, but now decorated with a gritty punk anger that pushes the band into their heaviest territories yet.

From the get-go, Queen Cult make their modus operandi clear; chunky, distorted guitars, vicious vocal delivery, and punchy percussion that backs gunshot snares. Those musical ideas have always been present in the band’s repertoire, with tracks such as ‘Lollipop’ and ‘Beautiful Psycho’, but this entire EP evolves those ideas in a way that feels totally natural for Queen Cult.

The monstrously thick bass of ‘Stop Calling’ is perfectly embossed with syncopated guitar riffs and a brilliantly sassy vocal performance; swaggering verses explode into simply outrageous choruses that beg you to get moving. ‘Hole in My Head’ pushes that heaviness even further into wholly brilliantly unexpected territory for Queen Cult, with an immense, metal-tinged sound that you might expect from the likes of unpeople.

It’s not all about being heavy, however. ‘To Be A Boy’ almost feels a little My Chemical Romance in nature, with its jagged punk riffs and nuanced theatrical flair. The bass performance is superbly executed, knowing bothwhen to simply drive the track forwards, and when to pull above the soundscape to deliver electrifying little melodic licks. 

Queen Cult feel ready to take to their career to the next level, and ‘Be Better’ stands a good chance at enabling them to do so. It’s the sound of a band unleashed, producing a collection of fiery punk bangers in the process with decisive creativity. Stages worthy of the size of these songs await them; all they need is your ears to be tuned in.

RATING: 78/100 – Mostly Very Good

For Fans Of: Royal Blood, Queens Of The Stone Age, Crawlers, Gen And The Degenerates, unpeople

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify