Buzzworthy UK Rockers The Trusted crash into 2024 with the release of their new EP Lost Soul. The five song pressing collects three recent singles as well as two new songs into one dynamic package, effectively encompassing the bands impressive talent as writers while cementing their trademark sonic presence. It’s fair to say that The Trusted have found their sound, and they offer it in a way that never sounds derivative of itself. It offers their fans a chance to get hooked on their affect, a signature detail for bands who tend to break through.
The band describes the EP’s title track as their anthem, and the lyrics reflects the deliverance their music offers them. The trio of Lost Soul, Marrow, and Gimme Your Devotion scream romanticism in a way that will seduce adoring fans. For contrast, Doomsday and Burning the Night feel tailor made to turn any crowd to a frenzy. Overall the EP is elegantly produced with radio ready tones and immersive sonic layers. Stylistically we hear evidence of early Coldplay and Arctic Monkeys, it’s a reflection of their commercial potential while still appealing to the underground. Like both those bands, the indie scene is likely just the beginning for The Trusted. From the image to the addictive hooks, you can’t deny the bands mainstream opportunity.
The Trusted are featured on our Best New Rock Playlist.
Empty Machines embrace their moody noir affect in the companion video (see above) for their single Velvet Sky. A collage of suggestive abstract images illuminate the bands dark foreboding brilliance. The vibe is epic and dark with energizing contrast. It’s a testament to their singers impressive range and powerful presence.
She convincingly navigates the songs melodic spectrum, reigning over the guitars immersive design, one that cloaks the atmosphere with distorted washes of harmonious noise. Stylistically you can trace their roots back to Sabbath and Zeppelin, through the influence of Soundgarden and into the realm of new underground projects like Baroness and Ruby The Hatchet.
Hear Velvet Sky now on our Best New Rock Playlist
Mimi Pretend grabbed us from the opening moments of their new EP Colorado 1996. An haunting dreamscape is interrupted by a frantic voice who wonders ‘there’s something wrong with this town… it’s kind of hard to explain.” The twisted cinematic post rock vibe flips the affect of bands like Explosions In The Sky, trading their penchant for hope for a more dooming dark reverence in this style. More is revealed in the subsequent First Time, as a poetic croon brings nostalgic brilliance to this haunting musical narrative. Her vocal style fairly recalls Lana Del Rey with a heavier trace of gothic influence. A revelatory lap steel tags the projects midwest roots charmingly, twisting the instruments trademark affect intriguingly.
Overall the EP unravels like dark cinema, honoring the albums concept convincingly with titles that cite that places that inspired them. It reflects the artists self described influences of David Lynch and Mazzy Star in a way that suggests how a collaboration of the two entities might have evolved. A stylistic mix of slowcore and chamber rock might also draw comparisons to projects like War Paint and Weyes Blood. Mimi Pretend herself has her own unique Twin Peaks style abstract touch, challenging the legacy of how beatnik poets romanticized her hometown. Mimi Pretend suggests everything is not as it seems in her native Colorado.
Mimi Pretend is featured on our Best New Rock Playlist.
Frat Mouse just dropped their new album flea house and the correlations of the band name and record title were enough on their own to peak our curiosity. The music delivers too. Their single sharp as a knife elegantly blends shoegaze and emo hardcore in a way we find irresistible. There’s an angry but playful youthfulness in a way that reflects new cult breakout Petey. Like him, Frat Mouse bears an affinity for 5th wave emo.
The recording is refreshingly honest. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as the band effectively embraces a raw aesthetic. It’s a thrilling detail to their sound, one we embrace in contempt of the commercial rock machine. Recorded at their house and fleshed out through backyard shoes, Frat Mouse live the scene life while offering flavorful compositions fit for a national breakout. Their reckless youthfulness is exactly what’s drawing fans to them. We can dig it.
Hear sharp as a knife now on our Best New Rock Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 