The elicit debut EP. It’s the one release that can either catapult you into the music spectrum, or chop you up and send you right back down to earth and the pubs and clubs of thirsty Thursdays. We've had The Pixies 'Come On Pilgrem' and My Bloody Valentine's noisy post-punk masterpiece 'Geek!’ The Replacements - 'Stink', Lush - 'Mad Love', The Beta Band - 'Champion Versions' and more recently, Warpaint - 'Exquisite Corpse'. You never forget your roots, and Novella is positioned firmly in an upright position awaiting the asserted future success with their debut self-titled EP, Novella.
Novella was recorded by journeyman producer Rory Attwell, on the Lightship95. This happens to be a boat opposite
the 02 Arena in the London Docklands area. We hear a different band than what
we have heard in the past with the Spacemen
3-esque single 'The
Things You Do' in 2011. As said by the band "After
releasing our first single in August, we really wanted our next release to be a
collection of songs that reflected our different influences and sounds." I’d
love to roam through their music library because the influences and sounds
coming out of this EP are outrageous. The dream pop harmonies are mixed with
shoegaze drones, with post-punk undertones and alternative rock backing the
structures up. Not to mention the exciting imagery and delicious psychedelic
rhythms of the 60’s.
'Eat
Yourself' opens with a summery sounding vocal hook and banging drums. The
sound that was already in place is improved by this astounding structure which
borders 60's pop with psychedelic and the distortion pedal. This track has a
many thunderous guitar riffs which are extremely heavy with all the beautiful
rhythms and left sided solos imaginable. The bass sounds great and the drumming
is in the most part energetic and raw. It's expressive and it's sharp, Novella
start off with a stunning track here. The most exciting part about this track
is the final minute of madness with the slamming of drums, loud bass and electrifying
guitar drones which sends shivers down my spine.
My
major criticism of single 'He's My
Morning' was the prevenient ending. At just over four minutes, the video cuts short two minutes of genius
which this EP does entails. It opens with three profound chords and a great
deal of distortion. The track picks up expectedly with a much lighter riff and
several dynamic changes which separates the entire track into different
segments whilst keeping in tune, and structural. This time around, we hear the
two minute instrumental of drumming patterns and psychedelic riffs.
We've already taken a look
at 'Don't
Believe Ayn Rand', the treacherous and brilliant track with amazing
lyricism and subject matter. Ayn Rand was a Russian-American novelist turned
philosopher who fronted the 60's Objectivism movement which saw the rise of
rational thinking and reason. Like many great thinkers, she disregarding religion
and became a gigantic influence in the Unites States of America for her
political/philosophical conceptions. This song well and captures my
imagination. The refrain of "Ayn Rand, she's lost control"
rings out, with lead singer Hollie Warren delivering the
intelligent verses magnificently well. It’s quite a spectacular track
and does justice to Novellas previous stated 'influences'.
'Strange
Things' is a dashing lo-fi tune with a brilliant melody and great vocals.
Clear drumming stands out with the low-key vocals, its punky and its loud.
Strange Things is Novella's best effort at replicating a Slowdive/Lush sound
without the need to exaggerate the effects pedal beyond distortion. The
EP is finished off by 'You're
Not That Cool'. Dark, ethereal guitar drones set the track alight, with a
formidable bass riff with existent percussion which influences the tracks
united sound. You may hear a Galaxie
500 type sound and structure, but I can assure you Novella are within their
own right, a fantastic original band. The vocal work is outstanding, not just
on this track, but the whole EP. Comparisons have been made with fellow girl
band Warpaint; I can assure you the actual real-time comparisons are
minimal.
Novella releases their debut EP on the back of several successful live
shows, an energetic single and many support slots. They have the intelligence
to take them a long way, skill to keep them continuously improving and
evolving. They're from the south and their influences are evident in their
sound. We can expect bigger and better things in the future, but as for now
Novella have revealed to London and the surrounding country their phenomenal
sound. Novella is a fresh face with a fresh sound in a market of electronica. I
welcome the change.
~Eddie
8.5