EP REVIEW: Frenetic – Brake Loose
Irish rock ‘n’ rollers, BRAKE LOOSE, have put out their debut EP Frenetic. Formed in 2019 originally under the name LIVE WIRE, the Dublin quartet underwent a transformation during the pandemic, coming out the other side with a new name and going on to cement their place within the upcoming Irish rock scene with live shows, festival appearances and their breakout single, REBEL REBEL (Evil Like The Devil) going on to have 200K streams. Their reputation to proceeds them and, with their debut EP now out, the question is whether that hype follows them on this release. Well? Yes. For the most part anyway.
The first thing to take note of throughout the EP is the ongoing high dramatics heard in each of the five songs, from simply spreading infectious high energy all the way to theatrical aspects that, for better or worse, does cement their place in your brain in being unforgettable. Opening things up, we have Dancing On The Red Line that is immediately fast and uplifting, feeling very much suited for a soundtrack from an 80s movie. Move specifically during a closing scene where the protagonist and their group of friends drive off into the sunset after everything is said and done. And that’s another theme with the record feeling very 80s inspired with some comparisons drawn to BILLY IDOL and other such pop-rock legends of the time.
This does include some of that 80s cheesiness with there being a spoken word segment about living life to the fullest which, sure, is sweet but you can’t help but roll your eyes at the same time. This is also heard in closing track, and breakout single REBEL REBEL (Evil Like The Devil), which certainly distracts, and potentially makes you groan in cringe, during an otherwise solid electric rock n roll track that makes you want to smile and dance. Oh, and then there’s the interesting choice to have an acted-out segment at the end of Kiss Me Bye Bye where there’s a transformation of someone turning into a demon with growls and heavy breathing that has you sat in bewilderment.
Yet it doesn’t take away from the pure fun of the EP with songs like Treat Her Like A Rose and it’s classic rock sound that you can’t stop from bopping your head along to, with a solid chorus and sick guitar solo to tie it altogether; and Love On Fire with the opening drums being likened to that of MUSE’s Uprising, along with some incorporation of bluesy elements. A fun, albeit slightly silly, EP that will make you want to dance and smile. Sure, it’s a little cheesy, but rock doesn’t have to be so serious all the time.
Rating: 7/10
Frenetic is set for release on May 30th via Symphonic Distribution.
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