ALBUM REVIEW: cash rich – snake eyes
Grit-pop duo, SNAKE EYES, have put out their debut record cash rich. Formed as a creative escape back in 2020 when the world was in lockdown, the Brighton pair have been busy over the course of the last five years with the creation of two EPs and a mixtape, alongside tours with the likes of YOU ME AT SIX, KID KAPICHI, and DINOSAUR PILE-UP. Sound-wise, the duo has created a seamless blend of gritty rock sounds against pop melodies that are as stunning and unforgettable as they can be loud and blunt, making it a debut record that will stick with you long after your very first listen.
To open the album, and setting the stage, is jar full of wasps where the first thing we hear is some noisy feedback before things kick off into a fast punk track that also brings in electronic and grunge sounds, drawing some comparison to the likes of artists like SOFT PLAY. Outside of the infectious nature of the song, where you’ll be nodding your head along involuntarily, you’ll find yourself admiring the loud confidence that’s back up by the duo’s natural skill and chemistry. That fact continues to be obvious when moving into no cars where, after starting out low in volume, pays off in a lowkey, yet attention grabbing way, before blending into the kicker that is the love child of garage rock and pub rock.
Most of the album is made up of tracks that fall under three-minute mark, a format that results in short but sweet moments that leave you only wishing for more, so when we do encounter the occasional song that goes on longer, you’ll be feeling satisfied.
It’s difficult to put SNAKE EYES into a box when it comes to describing their sound as they like to switch up in terms of style, pace and instrumentals. One moment we can enjoy more grittier tracks like soup and hug me, the next we can enjoy more delicate, vulnerable songs such as slugs and i’m a daydream, with the latter, along with serving as the longest track on the whole record, is a mostly slow number that you’ll find yourself wanting to sway and sing along to during the chorus, complete with holding up a lighter. We can seriously picture a beautiful scene of this being played live. As well as closing number robot boy that feels stylised as a raw one take recording with the acoustic guitar and low production-like sounds.
And if that hasn’t sold you yet, then how about the spoken word title track that serves as a interlude which reaffirms the need to stay true to yourself and your values despite the current state of the world? A solid debut record from a stunning duo that everyone really needs to keep their eyes on for the next few years.
Rating: 9/10
cash rich is set for release on March 6th via Alcopop! Records.
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