City Of Lights
We were recently sent through details of Leeds based City of Lights, and their debut album, Seasons Change, due for release on the 27th of August this year. Combining the song writing aptitude of Biffy Clyro with the melodic mastery of Snow Patrol, these guys are out there with their infectious alt rock sound ready to take over the world – so we thought we’d best check them out!
Opening with Was It All Worth It there’s an immediate sense of melodic urgency, crafting a sound which is somehow frantic and calming at the same time, using the different elements of the band to the best of their abilities. Catchy and powerful, this is the kind of music which you could quite happily see on a festival stage, getting everyone involved and having a good time to the melodic mastery flowing out of the speakers. Did I Stutter matches much the same sort of approach, once again opening with a guitar based sound combining with the soft vocal lines. Adopting a sound very alike Snow Patrol, there’s nothing offensive about this music, simply a sound which is going to be difficult to resist once it’s out there to be heard. I would challenge anyone not to sing along to this track after a couple of listens, it’s got that anthemic quality which makes it sound familiar yet fresh and new.
Honesty marks a slight change in the approach of the album, slowing things down and incorporating various elements into the sound to further elevate it to something deeper and more emotional. The adding in of a piano line adds this dimension and further develops the feeling that this is a moment of reflection, a track which has come from previous experiences and feelings experienced by the band. Wake Me Up follows this slowed down and laid back approach, continuing to nod to their influences and craft a sound which combines soft rock with acoustic melodies. Combining the male and female vocal line at times leads to a sound which is deep, powerful and once again, full to the brim with emotion. Despite the soft approach, the vocals combine with the backing music to create a sense of desperation and craving, almost suggesting at pain whilst managing to create a sound which can simply be described as beautiful.
Picking up the pace for Patience, we’re returned to the initial sounds of the band but with an added depth, a further development of their sound. Using harmonics to develop the backing track further, there’s a sense of a combination of soft rock with nu-metal techniques – which sounds crazy but the track really made me think of Blurry from Puddle Of Mudd at times. This combining of elements makes this a track which stood out to me personally, and one which I count as one of my favourites from the album. Out Of Sight manages to continue this idea of developing the bands sound further, adding in a further sense of quiet reflection and depth through the combined piano and acoustic guitar backing. What’s become most striking throughout this album is how the band have managed to take relatively simple elements and turn them into a sound which is deep, powerful and laid back at the same time. As Out Of Sight comes to a close, the final moments are quite frankly stunning, offering a deep and powerful approach which screams with melody and keeps you listening to the wonderfully crafted track.
Sticks & Stones marks a definite change in style for the album, sounding almost like an upbeat pop track as it comes into being. This sudden change came as somewhat of a shock as the track began, somehow managing to change the entire outlook of the album with one fell swoop. Personally, I really liked this track on the album, the jumpy drumming combining with the funky guitar line and crafting a track which moves away from that slow and emotional method and turning it into something you can move along to, something designed to get you out to see these guys live. This approach seems to continue into the opening moments of Wait For Me, another track which is more upbeat than some of the earlier ones but still holds the impact you would expect. Combing the emotional and soft approach with a more urgent music style results in another track which verges on the anthemic, and a track which given the right exposure, will catapult these guys into the spotlight.
Penultimate track Hope slows things down to signal the approaching closing of the album, once again using the soft acoustic tones of the guitar to combine with the soaring vocals. This laid back sound works well to slow the tempo down, signalling that the upbeat moments are done with and we’re once again back to the slower, reflective tracks, laden with emotion and melodies. It’s therefore left to Landscape to close the album, leaving on a high with another display of songwriting which is sure to compete with the earlier influences of the band. Soft guitars, slow and emotional vocals and lyrical content which will get everyone on board, everything you could possibly want can be found in this final track. Ending with a track which is half way between the harder approach and the softer moments, this final track on the album will leave you wanting more but knowing that what you’ve just heard has been pretty damned special.
City Of Lights have managed to craft a sound here which does indeed combine the ideas of Biffy Clyro with Snow Patrol, resulting in a sound which is laid back, relaxed and verging on the mass appeal spectrum. Don’t go into this album expecting a raucous ride or heavy riff, instead go into it expecting to be transported to a new place, a place where the music just flows and the sound is focused on melody – a great album just waiting to be noticed.
To find out more about City Of Lights, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with Was It All Worth It there’s an immediate sense of melodic urgency, crafting a sound which is somehow frantic and calming at the same time, using the different elements of the band to the best of their abilities. Catchy and powerful, this is the kind of music which you could quite happily see on a festival stage, getting everyone involved and having a good time to the melodic mastery flowing out of the speakers. Did I Stutter matches much the same sort of approach, once again opening with a guitar based sound combining with the soft vocal lines. Adopting a sound very alike Snow Patrol, there’s nothing offensive about this music, simply a sound which is going to be difficult to resist once it’s out there to be heard. I would challenge anyone not to sing along to this track after a couple of listens, it’s got that anthemic quality which makes it sound familiar yet fresh and new.
Honesty marks a slight change in the approach of the album, slowing things down and incorporating various elements into the sound to further elevate it to something deeper and more emotional. The adding in of a piano line adds this dimension and further develops the feeling that this is a moment of reflection, a track which has come from previous experiences and feelings experienced by the band. Wake Me Up follows this slowed down and laid back approach, continuing to nod to their influences and craft a sound which combines soft rock with acoustic melodies. Combining the male and female vocal line at times leads to a sound which is deep, powerful and once again, full to the brim with emotion. Despite the soft approach, the vocals combine with the backing music to create a sense of desperation and craving, almost suggesting at pain whilst managing to create a sound which can simply be described as beautiful.
Picking up the pace for Patience, we’re returned to the initial sounds of the band but with an added depth, a further development of their sound. Using harmonics to develop the backing track further, there’s a sense of a combination of soft rock with nu-metal techniques – which sounds crazy but the track really made me think of Blurry from Puddle Of Mudd at times. This combining of elements makes this a track which stood out to me personally, and one which I count as one of my favourites from the album. Out Of Sight manages to continue this idea of developing the bands sound further, adding in a further sense of quiet reflection and depth through the combined piano and acoustic guitar backing. What’s become most striking throughout this album is how the band have managed to take relatively simple elements and turn them into a sound which is deep, powerful and laid back at the same time. As Out Of Sight comes to a close, the final moments are quite frankly stunning, offering a deep and powerful approach which screams with melody and keeps you listening to the wonderfully crafted track.
Sticks & Stones marks a definite change in style for the album, sounding almost like an upbeat pop track as it comes into being. This sudden change came as somewhat of a shock as the track began, somehow managing to change the entire outlook of the album with one fell swoop. Personally, I really liked this track on the album, the jumpy drumming combining with the funky guitar line and crafting a track which moves away from that slow and emotional method and turning it into something you can move along to, something designed to get you out to see these guys live. This approach seems to continue into the opening moments of Wait For Me, another track which is more upbeat than some of the earlier ones but still holds the impact you would expect. Combing the emotional and soft approach with a more urgent music style results in another track which verges on the anthemic, and a track which given the right exposure, will catapult these guys into the spotlight.
Penultimate track Hope slows things down to signal the approaching closing of the album, once again using the soft acoustic tones of the guitar to combine with the soaring vocals. This laid back sound works well to slow the tempo down, signalling that the upbeat moments are done with and we’re once again back to the slower, reflective tracks, laden with emotion and melodies. It’s therefore left to Landscape to close the album, leaving on a high with another display of songwriting which is sure to compete with the earlier influences of the band. Soft guitars, slow and emotional vocals and lyrical content which will get everyone on board, everything you could possibly want can be found in this final track. Ending with a track which is half way between the harder approach and the softer moments, this final track on the album will leave you wanting more but knowing that what you’ve just heard has been pretty damned special.
City Of Lights have managed to craft a sound here which does indeed combine the ideas of Biffy Clyro with Snow Patrol, resulting in a sound which is laid back, relaxed and verging on the mass appeal spectrum. Don’t go into this album expecting a raucous ride or heavy riff, instead go into it expecting to be transported to a new place, a place where the music just flows and the sound is focused on melody – a great album just waiting to be noticed.
To find out more about City Of Lights, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls