ALBUM REVIEW: Paralysis – Led By Lanterns

UK-based rock band LED BY LANTERNS are on the cusp on releasing their debut album Paralysis, but the fact that this is their first full-length hasn’t stopped them from making a name for themselves. After touring with the likes of MALLORY KNOX and NORMANDIE, they are already beginning to go places and are seeking to make even more of a difference with this 10-track record full of bouncy riffs and powerful vocals.

LED BY LANTERNS are part of the fertile breeding ground that is the UK alternative rock scene right now, and they’ve used their connections within to allow some appearances from familiar places on this debut, namely TRASH BOAT‘s Tobi Duncan on Alive, SOFTCULT’s Mercedes Arn-Horn on Good Enough, and WAVED on Six Feet Down. The band are clearly in a good place with their connections, making friends in high places.

The first of these features opens the album, immediately assaulting the listener with a bouncy guitar riff and boyband-esque vocals from frontman Shaun Hill. This is something that the band utilises throughout the entire album, using melodic vocal hooks and synths to enhance driving basslines from Rob Hawkins and Chris Lanterns’ lively guitar riffs. Underneath it all is powerhouse drummer Snake, who plays like a machine to propel the album forward.

LED BY LANTERNS tackle some exceptionally challenging material on this debut, exploring mental health issues in its many forms. They’ve utilised topics that most will be able to relate to, like overthinking on the groovy Satellite, or accepting the fact that relationships grow apart on stand-out track Disconnected. These are all songs that are powerful as they stand right now, but will no doubt carry even more meaning when they’re screamed out by an audience on the band’s album release tour in April with TRIBELESS.

As displayed throughout Paralysis, the band’s ethos is built on looking out for each other and this is especially apparent in their innovative Patreon page ‘Lanterns Alliance’. Over the last few months, the page has turned into a place for fans to go for support and help with their own issues, not just to help fund their favourite band and enjoy music (though they are always bonuses).

Although this album may be very reminiscent of bands like DON BROCO or YOU ME AT SIX, it doesn’t detract from the fact that LED BY LANTERNS are their own extremely talented entity. Paralysis is strong debut all-round, one that provides an impressive display of the band’s talent and stirring lyric writing in particular.

Rating: 9/10

Paralysis is set for release on January 28th via self-release.

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