EP REVIEW: Obscene – Ashes Of Billy
There comes a time in a grunge fan’s life when they think about getting a band together and making a bunch of grunge bangers. For Danish unit ASHES OF BILLY, they turned this thought into a reality, and they did it at ages 14, 15, and 16.
While only four tracks long, Obscene is an EP that makes its mark, mixing together a cocktail of simple, clean instruments and addictively unique grungy vocals to create a feel-good EP with repeat value. Thanks to the simplicity of the lyrics and throwback feel, Obscene gives you a welcome nostalgia boost while still adding enough of an ASHES OF BILLY twist to stay fresh. With coming-of-age themes running deep through the EP, and the sound carrying serious 90s teen movie vibes, it’s hard not to reminisce on relaxing summers, ripped jeans and good times while you listen.
Each track on Obscene carries its weight. Down The Hill takes you on a meaningful journey, with a yearning chorus that repeats “Say goodbye to all your friends” transitioning into a more upbeat “Things will get much better,” accurately depicting the struggle of teenage years. Feel You Around demonstrates some killer vocals that wouldn’t sound out of place from a band that has been professionally recording for years, alongside clean guitar solos that scratch the brain in all the right ways. The angsty lyrics on tracks like Something About Your Smile are catchy enough to have you singing along for the whole week, as well as being timelessly relatable.
The title track Obscene finishes the EP off with a bang, combining crashing drums, gruff vocals and an emotion-packed delivery of screamable lines like “don’t need your love”. It’s a track you’ll find yourself passionately nodding along to and coming back to again, and again. Along with being a genuinely enjoyable selection of tracks, Obscene is a hugely exciting release to take note of. Because if this is ASHES OF BILLY just starting out, it will be a journey you won’t want to miss.
Rating: 7/10
Obscene is set for release on March 7th via Prime Collective,
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