EP REVIEW: The Wrong Side Of History – Regressive Left
Our political scene has been in a state for the past couple of years. There’s no avoiding that simple fact really and any self-respecting punk band could just take one look at the government and be inspired instantly; that’s exactly what seems to have happened with REGRESSIVE LEFT.
The London-based punks’ debut EP The Wrong Side Of History is politically fuelled and offers a fearless unflinching look at the social and political landscape at the moment and how that is affecting people. However, this isn’t some gloomy, dark EP. It is full of REGRESSIVE LEFT’s signature dynamic and glitchy sound. It makes you want to dance, but it’s not the sort of music to be played at a club but at more of a sophisticated party. It’s all about having fun with this EP whilst there’s chaos all around.
The first track The Wrong Side Of History instantly sounds very inspired by the 80s. It seems like they’ve taken inspiration from bands such as KILLING JOKE and others of that ilk and blended it with their own brand of electronic punk to create this EP. The vocals aren’t distorted nor have too many effects been used on them so there is a kind of raw feeling. The synths and the instrumental is thumping, driving the song to get under the listener’s skin. It’s honest and it’s a really well-crafted song that demands attention.
World On Fire follows and just the title of this track explains perfectly what it feels like right now. Again, the band incorporate the 80s feel within their current punk sound and it works so well. It describes the world as a trust fund and although it’s a bleak outlook this track is still a lot of fun and still feels like something to dance to. The instruments feel a little more present in this track which makes a change from the last track as it’s not so electro-centric. It’s almost as if the band is saying “Yeah, the world is on fire, but let’s enjoy the ride.”
Third track Bad Faith is a great little punk/dance style cracker that soars along with a fast pulse to it, and Valentine Caulfield from MANDY, INDIANA lends her vocals to this track which really ups the whole song. The dirty guitar parts create a very unstable feeling as if they’re falling apart at any minute. The lyrics describe very bad faith arguments and how we can misconstrue people based on one single action of theirs or what they say.
No More Fun closes the EP all too soon. It’s a bubbly and fizzy closer, with a strong electro-pop sound to it. The vocals soar in the chorus whilst being short and sweet in the verses. It’s the perfect ending to an almost perfect EP. REGRESSIVE LEFT take a raw and real look at what’s going on around them and put it to infectious electro music. It perfectly captures the state of Tory Britain and how, although it’s not ideal, we can still have a good time.
Rating: 8/10
The Wrong Side Of History is set for release on July 15th via Bad Vibrations.
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