London's The Other Ones released their self-titled debut album at the end of February. It's now available on Reckless Yes Records.
No matter the discourse, they lay their souls bare on what shapes up to be the most honest record of 2021. 'On Top of Me' gets to grips with the everyday struggles of anxiety. The relentlessness of the guitars add layer upon layer of mental stress to the protagonist. However, slicing through the tension is a chorus to rejoice in. As singer Steph decrees “it's getting hard to breathe / everything is on top of me”, you'll find the unlikeliest of couplets to throw your arms aloft in jubilation!
'Out of My Head' explores the torment of a breakup that still lingers in the heart and mind. All should approach with caution as the line “I look in the mirror and wonder I lack”, will drop you to your knees. Meanwhile, on 'Money', they tackle long-term relationship apathy with behemoth guitars. Boredom never sounded this great before!
Away from the gut-wrenching honesty, they remain confessional but, with a more nostalgic tinge on 'Forever Young' and 'Wasted Youth'. The former is particularly poignant covid preventing society from forging new memories to cherish. The Other Ones have expertly delivered the youthful exuberance where anything felt possible here. The goth guitar solo lifts their musicality to another plane and finesses the sentimental outlook. However, this is a band on a journey and, in the closing stages, they ignite another solo which is rock 'n' roll's bombast at its finest. It lights up the album with a blank canvas for their souls to fill with colour once again.
'Wasted Youth', with its hellish riffs pulsating basslines relives the formative rebellious years as though it was a diary entry until the euphoric present-day ending. The gear change to at the end becomes a heart-warming note to a younger self whereby, all the chaos, mistakes, and dissent are encouraged. Anything less is an insult to youthfulness.
This album is the kind of which young souls should obsess over every lyric and pour over the inlay. It's one to reawaken the angst and become a dear friend to any older jaded souls too. Intelligent, raw, and emotive, it doesn't just tick all boxes, it shatters them!
*Image courtesy of Keira Anee Photography