ALBUM REVIEW: Patrón – Patrón
If there’s something people need at the moment, it’s a sense of confidence and maybe a little spark and flare back into their lives. Self-titled record from PATRÓN brings in a sense of swagger and devilish charm. With members of QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, SCREAMING TREES, KYUSS and BLACKBIRD DAYS on board, this is seemingly that kind of music made for strutting to, will they deliver the goods?
Opening up the album is Room With A View, which kicks in with a beefy droning, while the bright guitars add a zest of the classic rock and roll as PATRÓN hammer on and pull off with slick intention. Sleazy vocals croon over this thick melody, and sway into a big chorus that comes alive under the trembling synth. There’s plenty to sink your teeth into and you can picture this being used to soundtrack PEAKY BLINDERS and other sharp-edged gangster media.
Popping in with flare and attitude is another heavy fuzz of a track by the name of Who Do You Dance For. Funky, dancey and it’s like futuristic blues and disco all wrapped into one, mean and entertaining. The vocals are instantly a hit; they layer perfectly over the sound that PATRÓN are going for. Next, Very Bad Boy has a little more room to allow the keys to make their mark on this track, thought there’s still plenty of doom under tongue in cheek lyrics. There’s a feeling of a more synthwave QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, the cadence of this track is hypnotising and solid enough, though becomes a little repetitive towards it’s latter couple of minutes.
Jump In The Fire has a real life of its own, a lot of that coming from the bass which is superbly and almost absurdly thick with dirty fuzz. This is a deliciously nasty combination of Jack White and Nick Cage, with a ferociously catchy hook. The percussive experimentation is good here too and really adds more texture. Overall it’s brilliantly bombastic; it’ll have you swaying and trembling throughout. The Maker is much more rooted in a cowboy country feel, which really is a lot of fun. It’s not taking itself seriously, and plays on a gospel choir crooning.
Taking the reins and riding on with intent is Hold Me Tight. Galloping, stomping, stop starting, there’s plenty to keep your interest with a building and deconstructing. The sliding around with the bass strings keeps things suitably sleazy, while the introduction of Spanish guitars followed by a tremolo lead over warpy keys is hypnotic.
Seventeen simmers down a bluegrass road unlike anything else on this record. Tinkering, sweet and unassuming, the story of this seventeen-year-old protagonist is humorously verbose and tells a classic tale of naive, youthful bravado, small town attitude and a clash of clash in the face of lust. It’s a tale of sadism and an unhinged superiority complex, of a life wasted and a cruel nature, and is a decent narrative to listen through.
Back into the swagger of things, Around My Neck chops and swings with more than a little brazen octave fuzz that kicks low and high through verse and chorus. It’s pretty whacky and surreal, and that experimental colour might not sit right all the time, but makes for interesting listening. In much the same way, Leave It All Behind is a spooky, unusual tone. The more this record goes on, the tendency towards thick basslines and more subtle use of organs and keys comes into play, while the guitar appears more so just to cut through and add a little more texture rather than stealing the show. There’s a little bit of a lull towards the latter third, where atmosphere is lacking, but is pulled back in just in time.
Back with that brash attitude that feels a little like PRIMUS, She Devil clips along with the now signature PATRÓN swagger. Being on the shorter side really works in its favour as all its ideas feel fun, and nothing drags on past that into the realm of overly repetitive. Rather, it keeps it’s cool and makes for some stellar listening.
Coming in with a really catchy hook and a sweet guitar tone that’s not previously taken centre stage, How to Land is the perfect end for this record. Echoing vocals accompany that stomping beat, the layering up and deconstructing between verse and chorus pulls this final effort into a really successful conclusion.
PATRÓN have found a sound that’s going to really appeal to a lot of listeners; bluesy, sleazy, fuzzy rock music, they swagger through every song like they’re born to do it. There are some crackers on this album that will make for stand out repeat listens, while a couple of songs here and there risk overreaching and losing attention because of their playtime. Nevertheless, this is a top record that cultivates a desire to swing your hips and tap your foot, a maybe misbehave a little.
Rating: 7/10
PATRÓN is out now via Klonosphere Records.
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