EP REVIEW: Being Alive Is A Fucking Nightmare – Broken Dreams Club
Alternative/emo/power-pop project BROKEN DREAMS CLUB have already achieved so much in the last 18 months, with their debut The Party EP only being released in spring last year. Since then, Bristol-based artist Amy Bevan (best recognised as the ex-bassist in THE TRAVIS WALTONS) has taken the project from strength to strength, collaborating with DJ and music producer DER ENERGIEBERATER to create reproductions of various tracks from the EP. In more recent months, Bevan revealed the standalone single Lean On Sheena in partnership with CITIZEN TIM, and in the lead up to her next body of work Bevan dropped the brand new single Keanu Is Forever. Now, their second EP Being Alive Is A Fucking Nightmare is due for release this week via Intersphere Records.
The first track Man In A Band starts off unexpectedly with a space themed countdown which makes us wonder what’s going to be exploding into our eardrums. We are then treated to a power-pop style melody, with Bevan‘s vocals sounding similar to LILY ALLEN and KATE NASH while adding some much needed individuality. The chorus is sure to get stuck in your head, and it’ll have you singing along by the end of the track – we are definitely off to a great start here.
Next up is Keanu Is Forever. Instantly, this song is just a hit. From the catchy pop style melody to the infectious chorus, this song expresses Bevan‘s true love for the Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves. From start to finish, this song gets you excited for what’s to come. The lyrics seem to come from quite a dark place with Bevan singing “You’ll never be a Hollywood star / You’ll never make it”, perhaps referencing comments people have said to her in the past and trying to prove them wrong as a result.
Johnny Cash And June Carter is next, successfully carrying on with the infectious yet dark themes witnessed in previous songs. This track seems to lyrically discuss this high profile romance between the two Hollywood stars, almost idolising their marriage and wishing that she could have the same experience. This track isn’t as memorable as the first two, but is still worth a listen.
The final track is Memories Of You (Why’d You Have To Be Such A Dick). This is probably one of the most personal songs on the whole release, with Bevan singing honestly about her past relationship, discussing the highs and the lows. This song expresses a wide range of potential issues in romantic relationships that people can relate to and shout along to if they wish. It’s an absolutely amazing closer to this release.
Being Alive Is A Fucking Nightmare is such a fantastic second EP release from BROKEN DREAMS CLUB. Aside from endless infectious melodic hooks and shameless lyrics slating ex-lovers, these four tracks have some real substance, making you feel Amy Bevan‘s raw and true emotions every step of the way.
Rating: 9/10
Being Alive Is A Fucking Nightmare is set for release on November 10th via Intersphere Records.
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