Blunt Truth
Formed in 2010 in Kendal, Blunt Truth are a band that combines dance, pop, funk and rock with an edge of attitude – which sounds pretty interesting to me. Citing influences such as Ellie Goulding, Bloc Party, RHCP and Lady GaGa (??), I wasn’t sure what to expect from the tracks they put me on to – so I hit play to let the music do the talking for them!
Opening with Psycho Therapy there’s an immediate sense of upbeat tempos and funky bass lines, the mix forming the sort of sound which you can well imagine people dancing along to and getting involved with. The show stealer has to be the female vocals throughout the track, adding in a sense of elevation and smoothness to the track and somehow turning it into something which works. Add into the mix a male vocal and what you end up with is a track which is fun, jumpy and to the point, yet full of different elements which encourage you to listen harder so you don’t miss them. The same sort of mix occurs in Link, once again opening with a soft yet somehow intriguing guitar line which leads naturally into the track beginning fully. Soft and melodic throughout, this track holds more emotion than the previous track yet once again, manages to produce a sound which is full of involvement and depth, resulting in the sort of thing which people are going to dance to, sing along to and use to elevate their spirits in those down moments.
Objects With Personalities seems to offer up a slightly different approach, once again keeping things soft and melodic yet harking at a darker side to the band, somehow forming a sound which holds that darkness without throwing it in your face. The dark edge reflects the emotional content of this track, somehow turning into a track which is based around caring thoughts and emotions, and turning it into something which is going to connect with people as soon as they hear it. To me, this is one of the standout tracks from the EP here, as simply it’s so laden with emotion that it’s impossible not to relate to, it’s the sort of thing you’re going to turn to when you need the music to reflect your feelings.
Closing with Self Respect there’s a sign of the more ‘pop’ roots of the band, producing one final jumpy and upbeat track to close the EP and leave you wanting more. The upbeat nature of this track is impossible to resist and presents the sort of track which is going to get you nodding along, tapping your feet and getting involved with the band. To me, this is the sort of track which is going to work on the live scene where there’s going to be a better balance of the different elements, the recording loses some of the power of the band but still shows off what they’re capable of. As a closing track, it leaves me wondering what’s going to come next and how they’re going to move on from here, certainly suggesting at good things to come.
I wasn’t sure at all about Blunt Truth when I saw the GaGa reference made, but I think these guys may have something. Sure this is soft and upbeat stuff, but it’s designed to be fun and the sort of thing that people go to see to have a good time. The attitude that the band add into the mix creates a sense that this is dangerous pop, somehow letting you know that everyone will connect with this, but that few will truly understand it. Personally – I’m just looking forward to seeing what comes next!
To find out more about Blunt Truth, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with Psycho Therapy there’s an immediate sense of upbeat tempos and funky bass lines, the mix forming the sort of sound which you can well imagine people dancing along to and getting involved with. The show stealer has to be the female vocals throughout the track, adding in a sense of elevation and smoothness to the track and somehow turning it into something which works. Add into the mix a male vocal and what you end up with is a track which is fun, jumpy and to the point, yet full of different elements which encourage you to listen harder so you don’t miss them. The same sort of mix occurs in Link, once again opening with a soft yet somehow intriguing guitar line which leads naturally into the track beginning fully. Soft and melodic throughout, this track holds more emotion than the previous track yet once again, manages to produce a sound which is full of involvement and depth, resulting in the sort of thing which people are going to dance to, sing along to and use to elevate their spirits in those down moments.
Objects With Personalities seems to offer up a slightly different approach, once again keeping things soft and melodic yet harking at a darker side to the band, somehow forming a sound which holds that darkness without throwing it in your face. The dark edge reflects the emotional content of this track, somehow turning into a track which is based around caring thoughts and emotions, and turning it into something which is going to connect with people as soon as they hear it. To me, this is one of the standout tracks from the EP here, as simply it’s so laden with emotion that it’s impossible not to relate to, it’s the sort of thing you’re going to turn to when you need the music to reflect your feelings.
Closing with Self Respect there’s a sign of the more ‘pop’ roots of the band, producing one final jumpy and upbeat track to close the EP and leave you wanting more. The upbeat nature of this track is impossible to resist and presents the sort of track which is going to get you nodding along, tapping your feet and getting involved with the band. To me, this is the sort of track which is going to work on the live scene where there’s going to be a better balance of the different elements, the recording loses some of the power of the band but still shows off what they’re capable of. As a closing track, it leaves me wondering what’s going to come next and how they’re going to move on from here, certainly suggesting at good things to come.
I wasn’t sure at all about Blunt Truth when I saw the GaGa reference made, but I think these guys may have something. Sure this is soft and upbeat stuff, but it’s designed to be fun and the sort of thing that people go to see to have a good time. The attitude that the band add into the mix creates a sense that this is dangerous pop, somehow letting you know that everyone will connect with this, but that few will truly understand it. Personally – I’m just looking forward to seeing what comes next!
To find out more about Blunt Truth, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls