EP REVIEW: It’s Not That Deep – Elessar
Modern trap music is only a recent addition to modern rock music. This is shown in the popularity of the ’emo rap’ genre that has been gaining traction since the mid-2010s, and which has made fertile ground for Gloucestershire-based trio ELESSAR as they bring forth a combination of pop and rock on their new EP It’s Not That Deep. This is their first EP to be released in four years, and includes new music influences, including modern trap.
The EP starts off strong with a rock guitar riff that shows off guitarists Alex Evans and Ricky Powell‘s talents. Powell also does vocal duties, and his voice suits the swinging rock music. However, the song also holds elements of electronic music that can be seen in the distorted vocals. Thankfully, these do not distract the listener, and actually help to contribute towards the song.
The rest of the EP hops from electronic influenced pop-rock (The Fall) to pure rock (You & I). However, this does not affect the pacing of the EP overall. It is clear that sticking to this range of genre is good for the overall sound because it makes the EP flow better. Unfortunately, there also lies a problem. There are hints of different genres bubbling underneath the surface of the songs, and they do come to the forefront sometimes. However, unless you listen really closely, it is easy to miss.
On the one hand, this is a shame because what we do hear is fantastic and mixes really well with the established sound. It would have been fun to hear new elements of music, as it would have showed that ELESSAR are confident enough to branch out. On the other hand, it is a good choice. This is for two reasons. The first is that mixing genres is always a bit hit and miss. Therefore, if there was a completely electronic song on the EP, for example, it might not fit in with the overall sound. It is clever to have some songs on the EP that have hints of different genres, as not only does this show off potential hints for future sounds, but it also allows the overall sound to remain unaffected by trying out different styles and genres.
If you are looking for a fun pop-rock EP, then It’s Not That Deep is the one for you. This is a fun EP with fantastic hints of something different, while the band also stick to their roots. Whilst the hints of different genres could have been more prominent, this is only one small criticism. The six songs are a perfect number, as each song fits perfectly into the 20-minute runtime. If you are looking for a new pop-rock sound, with hints of elements of new genres, a perfectly-paced EP, and fun engaging songs, then you should definitely give this one a listen.
Rating: 8/10
It’s Not That Deep is out now via self-release.
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