ALBUM REVIEW: Nothing Clever, Just Feelings – CLT DRP
Electro-punk is having its moment right now. Bands like TOKKY HORROR have waved in a new generation of artists of the genre, and among them are the Brighton-based trio CLT DRP. They formed in 2017, and released their debut album Without The Eyes in August 2020 to critical acclaim. Now they have returned with their ambitious second album, Nothing Clever, Just Feelings.
New Boy opens the record and whilst the vocals are somewhat sparse throughout its runtime, this does leave room for the electronics to be expanded upon. The band have nailed the blend between rock and electronic music, as the rock instruments back up the vocals, and the electronic synths are almost like interludes between the rock parts. In the end, the two come together to form a face-melting mix that wouldn’t sound out of place at either a rock concert or a rave.
This blend that CLT DRP have perfected is the driving force of the album. Whether it is the bass-heavy synth-rock of the title track or the haunting rock of I See My Body Through You, Nothing Clever, Just Feelings always sits somewhere between the two. This means that each song can do different things without negatively affecting the overall sound and feel of the record. The overall pacing is great too, with some slower songs grouped together around the album’s mid-way point, and the production ensuring that each track gets enough time to flesh out their sound, despite the songs being an average length in terms of runtime.
The band aren’t afraid to get experimental either. Take closing track I Put My Baby To Sleep, for example. It starts off with a simple drum beat before descending into chaos – in the best way. The mix of the electronic synths and rock is unique as it has been throughout the album, but it is heavier than the rest of the record. The synths are slightly more subdued, but they’re still cleverly mixed in with the rock music, creating a unique mixture of sounds. It is a brilliant closer that brings the album full circle.
Ultimately, Nothing Clever, Just Feelings successfully avoids the curse that often befalls second albums. Despite some songs sounding similar in the middle part of the album, this is a fun, unique and experimental record that embraces and nails the electro-punk genre. The different ways that the two genres are mixed together are astounding, and they show that the next generation of electro-punk is in safe hands. CLT DRP are a fantastic, fun and brilliant band who are not afraid to push the boundaries of music.
Rating: 8/10
Nothing Clever, Just Feelings is out now via Venn Records.
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