To those of you who may not yet be aware of Brooders, they are a three-piece hailing from Leeds, Derby and Nottingham who describe their sound as ‘psychedelic grunge’. Their self-titled mini EP will be released on February 10 and features six unapologetically ruthless, undeniably lovable, career-defining songs.
The first song ‘Thrill Killer’ is one of those songs that instantly send tingles up your spine. Starting off with an eerie screech before developing into an epic rumble of absolute psych-grunge goodness, it’s the perfect song to listen to if you’ve had a bad day and need something to match it, surpass it, and make you feel relieved after it’s all over. The only issue is that there’s simply not enough of it as it only lasts a little over two and a half minutes – before you know it, it’s over, which can be slightly disappointing for the listener.
The first third of ‘Cling’ takes me right back to those moody Nirvana days, but then completely contrasts against these thoughts by progressing into static, intense bursts of undeniably addictive heaviness. It is a song that brings you a new dose of curiosity with every 30 seconds that pass. With these gradual eruptions of loudness successfully giving the song context, this is one of the most satisfying tracks on the LP.
‘Say Your Prayers’ is one that sets itself apart from the rest. It’s the sort of song that is ideal for your usual crowd-chanting-back-to-the-band gig gimmicks – but the absolute explosion of a chorus is what truly makes you think it would be worth breaking your arm in a mosh pit over. The impact of it is so savage yet so gratifying – the perfect contradiction, if I’m honest.
‘Haze’ is the debut single to come from Brooders which was released in September 2016. The biting, choppy guitar, thick bass and definitive vocals by frontman Adam Bairstow with his signature growl matching the chorus’s powerful peaks is what gives this song that ‘debut’ edge and is well worth listening to if you’ve not given them a chance before.
‘Blue Eyes Prince’ gives a much softer first impression, showcasing a Libertines-meets-Green Day vibe to me initially. That is until – in typical Brooders fashion as I’ve come to understand – they beautifully demolish whatever peace you’ve accustomed to with this calmer introduction.
Slow, haunting and much like its title – ‘Melancholy’ is what I would guess Brooders’ version of a ballad is like – yet instead of singing about romance and sentiment, they sing about pensive sadness. This song is strong, but it is not the most captivating compared to the previous five – but by this point in the mini LP you’ll have already become a fully convinced, new-found fan of this unique and promising band.
Brooders’ mini LP is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Kudos to them for being the epitome of musical disruption and pleasure – their mini LP is exactly what I’ve needed in my life without even realising it.
Rating: 4.5/5
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