Commons: Clean Living
Revolver Music
Digital
Nottingham indie-rockers Commons have dropped their brilliant debut EP, Clean Living, a journey through high octane indie rock and dappled splashes of electronics, comparable to Foals and Kasabian.
Opening with the infectious previous single Queen Of Hearts, the band launch with an ambient, reverb tinted bell synth sound which rings around the soundscape, creating an ethereal tone before the choppy guitars enter, layering and pulling the track towards the band’s central indie tendencies.
As the track slaps into action through a swelling distant vocal, the riffs pull into one tight distorted riff over punching live drums. The expressive vocal delivery captures a sense of urgency before the track once again changes pace, slipping into an ambient falsetto vocal as the instrumentation gradually turns from punchy indie rock to psychedelic spheres of reverb.
This multi-faceted, multidimensional musical approach is very much what characterises the EP and indeed makes Commons stand out as a unique band. Track 2, Steady On, is carried by a driving shuffling drum beat under picky, palm-muted guitar melodies and fuzzy bass to capture an intricate indie sound under the visceral lead vocals, which deliver understated yet infectiously catchy melodies.
Elsewhere on the EP, In My Head opens with some delicate, atmospheric, ’80s-influenced floating synths that are met with a funk-tinted guitar line which eventually grows into a sea of guitars. The EP’s highlight, the track is a brilliant example of the band’s ability to create rich musical arrangements, encompassing both elements of rock and indietronica whilst retaining a glittering commercial appeal through vibrant, melodic vocal lines.
The punchy, fuzzy guitar tones of Burn and the gentle, emotive closing track Daisy close out the EP.
Speaking about the EP, Commons said: “Clean Living is an ode to our kaleidoscopic taste in music, with each song giving a flare of something exciting that catches your ears leaving you eager for more.
There is a wide range of meaning behind each track in this, it’s not solely based on one event or feeling – it’s more focused on telling short stories and experiences.”
A great introduction to the band’s sound, showcasing a keen ear for both compelling melodies and intricate, well thought out musicality. The tracks manage to carry a strong sense of energy and drive whilst also holding an honest, expressive and, at times, emotional depth. There’s no doubt the band has a bright future ahead.
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All words by Simon Lucas-Hughes. More writing by Simon Lucas-Hughes can be found at his author’s archive.
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