Twist Helix - Machinery

Newcastle’s Twist Helix have returned with their second album ‘Machinery’. Released via Paul Back Music, it follows up on their 2018 concept album ‘Ouseburn’. Last time out, the focus was upon the artistic community in their hometown. This time, they have honed in on their experiences in the music industry.

Euphoria courses through the veins of this album. None more so than on the opening tracks ‘Louder’ and ‘Host’. The former injects the aching beauty of Chvrches with an unparalleled level of dynamism. Shedding light on being ignored as a woman in the industry, especially the live circuit (“overlooked and underbooked”), they combine the fire of punk with undeniable pop and sheer ecstasy that only electronica can provide.

‘Ghost’, plays with a tempo more but, musically, leads you to nirvana in scintillating style. Nights out, gigs, and looking back nostalgically are going to be soundtracked to the closing moments. Bea Garcia’s vocals are a behemoth in stature and the crescendo of drums thunder are brimming with a power that all should bow to.

The euphoria dissipates on ‘Vultures’ but, the powerful rhetoric skyrockets. It’s a vicious Primal Scream ‘Evil Heat’ era swipe at the Weinstein’s of the world for abusing their power. Anger and righteous indignation threaten to overflow as Garcia’s venom launches ‘chews you up, spits you out, he's a vulture’. The #metoo didn’t need a soundtrack but, it has one now!

It’s not all about the euphoria and lyrical polemic though. Twist Helix amply breaks the album up with the spoken word facets of ‘Festival Season’ and the instrumental ‘Transmission’. The latter taking Pendulum for walkthrough 80s clad ‘Stranger Things’ providing a moment to behold.

‘Machinery’ for all its power, perhaps lacks the true killer hooks to take them to the top of festival bills. However, it has a vitality and integrity that demands serious attention on the main stages when festivals are allowed to return. ‘Machinery’ and ‘Exposure’ begin to flirt with the universal appeal of The Killers in their early days. Might this album be their ‘Modern Life Is Rubbish’ or ‘100 Broken Windows moment? The riot before the masterpiece, only time will tell, but, our money is on yes!

*Image courtesy of Paul Murray Media

Echolines – Imagination Stranger

Fresh from supporting the glorious Bugeye, Newcastle Upon Tyne's Echolines are gearing up for the release of their new single. 'Imagination Stranger' will be available from the 1st March via 6Not4 Records.

Vocally, Charlie Richardson embodies the pop spirit of 80s cult hero Ian Hodgson (Bradford) on their classic 'Gang Of One'. Meanwhile, the sparkling synths and shimmering guitars ebb and flow from sun kissed New Order to the C86 movement.

Lyrically, it recalls the call to action of The Specials 'Rat Race' or The Enemy's 'Away From Here' but, from a more subtle pop laden position. The spiky reflection on society's mindless obsessions feels perfectly timed in these fractious times.

*Artwork courtesy of VanGoth

Twist Helix - Ouseburn

Based in Newcastle, Twist Helix have been at the of North East’s burgeoning DIY since their debut album was released last October. Having been tipped off about them by the glorious Bugeye, we decided to delve into the album.

Concept albums are always a bold move. Many fall by the wayside. So, it comes as quite the shock to see one on a debut album. Nevertheless, tired of clichés such as “a city in decline” and “people left behind”, Twist Helix have shone a light on the artistic undercurrent of the city.

Former singles 'Newcastle' and 'Ouseburn', although local in content, will pull in like-minded souls from pockets of cities and seaside towns that artists have bred life into (Southend and Hastings for examples). 'Ouseburn', sparkles with synth pop a la Passion Pit circa 'Manners' as it meanders its way like the Tyne & Weir river.

‘Newcastle’ though, is a clarion call to all those who thought they were alone in believing their town or city is more than what their told it is. It opens with perhaps the most defiant and inspiring opening line of an album in recent years: 

“This city is not sleeping / It’s dreaming”

It's not all shades of light though. 'Little Buildings' and 'Collapse', demonstrate the sense of loss that has penetrated the social conscious of places like Newcastle in recent times. Unlike blow hard social commentators, they’ve tapped into a spirit and a feeling that paints pictures of both rage and hope. The courage to bring a poetic soul to a fight the rich will resonate the length of breadth of the UK.

Former single 'Graphite' signifies a future beyond their local horizons. Musically, it combines pop dynamism of X Ray Spex with the finer exponents of indie-electronica of the late 00s (Reverend & The Makers, Sunshine Underground). Something bigger beckons for them here.

When you look at the recent success of Zola Jesus or Austra, the festival circuit could be great for Twist Helix this year.

*Image courtesy of Paul Black Music