EP REVIEW: Still Dreaming – Dream State
DREAM STATE‘s new EP saved them. The Welsh rock quartet recorded Still Dreaming as a collaborative effort, and even found it was a way for vocalist Jessie Powell to expel some negative emotions in a healthy way. That’s not to say that there was an easy ride to this EP, because it wasn’t. There was a period of time where the band were close to calling it a day. Thankfully, the EP helped them not give up, and contains some of their most honest lyrics ever. It is a raw EP, but one that only DREAM STATE could make.
Across seven songs, the band push themselves to their limits. Whether it is the electronic-rock intro track that smoothly transitions into the stomping rock of the title track or the eerie distorted metal of the verses of Chin Up Princess that juxtapose with the happy-go-lucky choruses, the EP is consistent in pushing things as far as they’ll go, yet the band never buckle under the weight of their ideas.
The performances are fantastic; guitarist Aled Evans and bassist Jake Bowen are brilliantly in sync, and drummer Tom Connolly makes songs such as the aforementioned Chin Up Princess and the fantastic synth-rock of Calling Out really come alive. But it’s Powell that really shines; this is only her second EP with DREAM STATE and she really steps up to the plate. Whilst she was fantastic on last year’s Untethered, here she is vastly more confident and it really shows.
Of course, the EP isn’t perfect; Set Free is an interlude and while it’s nicely produced and mixes synths and guitars very well, it is three minutes long, and it doesn’t really add anything new to the EP. But this is quickly pushed aside when the closing song starts; Day Seeker could be considered DREAM STATE‘s magnum opus. Starting off with some of the most powerful screams from Powell before launching into a euphoric song about not giving up, this song is sometimes reminiscent of the old DREAM STATE, especially sound-wise. However, it is the lyrics that are the most impressive. They speak about pushing forward from adversity, which some people might turn their noses up at and dismiss as cliché, but for many others will be a message that needs to be heard.
Overall, it is clear that DREAM STATE are not here to play about. They have gone above and beyond on this EP, and they are clearly dedicated to their craft. All the band shine through, and the EP is cohesive and fun. The different genres it touches on work well together, and it is Powell who really shines. Her vocals and confidence have grown a lot over the past year, and it is evident on this EP. DREAM STATE have pushed themselves, and the proof is in the pudding.
Rating: 9/10
Still Dreaming is set for release on January 26th via self-release.
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