Spleen | Dystopic School | EP Review and Video Premiere

Spleen: Dystopic School

(Contempo Records)

Stream | Vinyl

Out 21st June (Vinyl Out NOW )

Emerging from the shadows of a rock’n’roll high school within the architectural grandeur of Florence, three-piece band Spleen bring us their own Italian blend of grunge and punk infused rock’n’roll through their debut release, the double A-sided EP, Dystopic School, and Louder Than War presents the video premiere of the lead track from the EP.

I’m never sure whether it’s just me getting older or whether bands are getting younger these days, but once again we find another young band rising from the glorious surroundings of that classic Italian city of Florence to make a right old racket in the local clubs, and they haven’t even left school left. This time it’s a three-piece band called Spleen who are only now closing in on their final exams at high school before exploring the wider rock’n’roll landscapes that exist beyond the confines of the beautiful architecture that surrounds them.

Spleen comprise Samuele (guitar and vocals), Matteo (drums), and Olmo (guitar) and they seem to have been making a name for themselves around Florence with a sound which they describe as a melting pot of grunge, punk and noise. And having now built a decent local following, they have also attracted the attention of Contempo Records with whom they have signed an exclusive worldwide deal. And to celebrate this they now release their debut EP with lead track Dystopic School featured here by Louder Than War as a video premiere.

I’m really not sure what Dystopic School says about their own educational experience but the song certainly packs a real punch with it’s heart firmly implanted from the 70’s New York punk scene, and a hard driving sound infused with fractured guitar breaks leaning towards both grunge and the heavier side of the rock canon. With an impressive power, it’s a song that is also strong on melody and will no doubt have caught the attention of the punters at their early live shows.

The theme continues through second A-side Affected Kid which again draws heavily on the spirit of the likes of The Stooges and Queens Of The Stone Age, with a sound full of attitude and swagger and some interesting lyrical phrasing such as “listening without eyes, words are heavier parasites” which seek to challenge. B-side What’s Behind The Sun perhaps aspires towards the unattainable, but this song does prove that Spleen are certainly not a one trick pony with its mellower phrasing and uplifting harmonies blending seamlessly with the powerhouse rhythms that explode from within its grooves.

The EP is released on streaming services on the 21 June and will also be available in the shops on vinyl from the 14 June. Once they have put their school days behind them, work will then begin on their debut album, with plans to released it early in 2025. Live shows to support the release will be planned include UK dates later in the year, so it’s definitely a case of watch this space to see and hear what these young Italian indie-rockers come up with. Personally I can’t wait to find out!

You can buy the EP here.

You can find Spleen on Facebook and Instagram.

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All words by Ian Corbridge. You can find more of his writing at his author profile here.