EP REVIEW: Brides – Leche

‘…a feast for the senses that takes pride in its brilliant, inventive messiness…’

Based out of the northwest, Brides emerged late last year, and have become a common fixture on grassroots line ups across the region. From playing Manchester’s Rat & Pigeon, to Liverpool’s Jacaranda, to Shrewsbury’s Loopfest, it is clear that this is a four-piece not looking to waste their time, and that live ambition certainly translates across to their studio work.

The band describe themselves as an ‘emo/shoegaze’ outfit, but to use only two genre frankly seems like they are doing themselves an injustice. Their debut EP, ‘Leche’ is a wildly creative listen from start to finish that utilises both emo and shoegaze, but also winds its way through bluegrass, punk, indie rock, and even prog rock. It’s a feast for the senses that takes pride in its brilliant, inventive messiness.

‘Creature Culture‘ sees progressive-tinged guitars dance atop of indie-rock rhythms, leading to an electrifying, chaotic affair that spins around the listener. The rhythmic switch-up in the back half is a great choice, leading to a climax that feels surprisingly grandiose On ‘Common Inferno‘, there is something brilliantly, consciously disjointed about its construction that snags your attention and holds it. Instruments duck and wave around one another, with racing guitar melodies vying for position against weighty bass lines and frantic percussion in a spiralling dance towards a jarring, cataclysmic climax.

‘Rebecca‘ collides indie-rock with punk and bluegrass, leading to a particularly fun and frantic number. The verses build towards barn storming instrumental choruses that are simply begging to be played live. Closing track ‘Hideous Monsters (And The People That Love Them)‘ is an absolutely gorgeous conclusion to the EP, and serves as the EP’s major highlight. It’s a decidedly melancholy affair, with bold, fuzzy guitars, and infectious melodies wrapped together in an anthemic, bittersweet manner. The gigantic closing passage to the track begs you to sing-along, even on your first listen of the track, as the band’s sound leans in a distinctly emo direction.

What makes Brides stand out immediately is a complete refusal to sit comfortably within one genre. ‘Leche‘ is a delightful mess to experience, as the band erratically dance with a wealth of ideas, yet always manage to sound both authentic and intentional; a perfect collision of the experimental and the familiar. The result is certain to appeal to a wealth of music fans, from indie rockers to punks, prog fans to psych enjoyers.

RATING: 76/100 – Mostly Very Good

For Fans Of: The Sukis, PUP, Labyrinthine Oceans, Ugly Jumper, Buds.

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify