EP REVIEW: Downcast – Downcast

The sound of emerging British four-piece DOWNCAST has been described as pop-punk, and whilst it does contain some of the ingredients that are essential to the genre, their self-titled debut EP is certainly not generic, in fact, throughout its five tracks, there is much in the way of musical diversity.

Anthurium launches proceedings with a predominant mix of heavy guitar riffs and pounding drum beats, delivered at a fast pace, and accompanied by an emotive, if slightly gritty, vocal delivery, courtesy of front man Liam Edwards. The opener sets the tone for Downcast’s lyrical content, dealing frankly with the negative events that Edwards has experienced – for example, he pours his heart out to the listener on this number, chronicling all of the things that went wrong with a past relationship that didn’t work out.

Sombre follows, effectively showcasing the quartet’s seemingly effortless ability to mix things up a bit musically with a song that is pretty much led by a few gentle strums of an acoustic guitar, and softer, more layered vocal tones. In comparison, Window Seat is a real toe-tapper, with an overall sound that is almost annoyingly infectious, containing a chorus that is just intoxicatingly catchy, and is probably the closest this release gets to sounding like rather stereotypical pop-punk.

2013 marks to the return to the heaviness and speedy tempo that was in constant presence on Anthurium, however, there seems to have been more emphasis placed on heartfelt melodies, and adding another layer to Edwards’s vocals, which is achieved by peppering them, at frequent intervals, with anthemic chants. Providing a fitting finale is closing track I’m Sorry, which provides the listener with a powerful combination of sonic density and harmonic refrains.

Even though, in all honesty, it isn’t the greatest debut, it is clear overall that DOWNCAST have truly made the most of the opportunity to show just how effective and diverse they can be in regards to their music, therefore enabling themselves a broad reach, and a cast-iron guarantee that this won’t be the last that anybody will hear of this talented fledgling collective.

Rating: 7/10

Downcast is due for independent release January 11th via self-release.

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