Late Night Fiction
We were recently sent through details of Late Night Fiction and their EP, Polar, to check out. Described as a melodic post hardcore quartet based in Hull, these guys have already been featured on the BBC Introducing sessions, shared the stage with the likes of Grammatics and The Xcerts, and been chosen for a live BBC Introducing performance which saw them launch their debut single, Horsefight.
Now in 2012, the band have toured with the likes of Twin Atlantic and Flood Of Red, had their track ‘Exits, Pursued By A Bear’ by Zane Lowe – and they’ve not even released the EP yet! Due for release on the 30th of July, the band will be touring the UK to support the new EP before releasing their album Ethics come Autumn – so it could be said that this is going to be a busy year for the band! We thought it best to check out the new EP to see what’s to be expected!
Opening with Black Watch we’re immediately launched into a distorted and off beat array of guitars, pounding bass and rumbling drums. Contrasting the raucous backing track with soaring vocal lines, there’s a constant barrage of different elements, each one working in harmony with the others to form a sound which is both unexpected and exciting to hear. This ‘off-piste’ approach to music is what makes this such an exciting EP from the minute it gets going, the band isn’t following a set path and instead, is carving a new route through the world of ‘melodic post hardcore’ to form a new sound, a sound which we’ll simply call Late Night Fiction for now.
Following on with Exits, Persued By A Bear the tone changes and everything seems to slow down, opening in a far more serene manner as the soft guitar line beckons the entrance of the drums. Forming a sound which is once again syncopated yet well formed, it’s hard to imagine how these guys are able to pull this sound off live, yet the music is almost a reassurance that they are able – something I’m going to have to get out and witness for myself. Smashy ‘Smashy Beast’ Beast (awesome track name!) comes up next and once again suggests softer things are to follow, this time opening with a guitar tone which is going to melt hearts and get people involved. Soft and melodic, the band continue to demonstrate that they are able to turn their hand to different styles, accomplishing each one to a degree that will make others sit and look on with nothing but admiration (and perhaps a bit of jealousy). Personally, this is one of my favourite tracks on the EP, there’s just something about it which works and really pulls you in. What’s most striking though – no lyrics….and I didn’t even notice.
Dialectics returns us to the rougher side of things, this time opening with a pulsating guitar tone which adds a further element of depth to things. Sounding dark and mysterious from the off, this is a track which is further testament to the ability of the band, somehow taking their sound and warping it into a Biffy Clyro style sound, yet with more power and aggression. The middle crescendo of this track is a moment which sent shivers down my spine as it played out, quite simply a stunning track. All too soon though we’ve reached Relax Please and the end of the EP is in sight. Closing with a raucous and powerful number which has surely been crafted for the live scene, the final moments of this EP leave us as it began, encouraging you to join in, take part and thoroughly get involved with everything the band have got to throw out at you.
Late Night Fiction have only just come onto our radar here at Loud-Stuff, but this is going to be a band that I’m going to be keeping a close eye out for from here onwards. Exciting, energetic, powerful, melodic but most of all, interesting and deep, this is an EP which doesn’t just showcase the sound of a band, it showcases the sound of the future.
To find out more about Late Night Fiction, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Pre-order a copy of the EP for yourself (you know you want to!) HERE
Words: Dave Nicholls
Now in 2012, the band have toured with the likes of Twin Atlantic and Flood Of Red, had their track ‘Exits, Pursued By A Bear’ by Zane Lowe – and they’ve not even released the EP yet! Due for release on the 30th of July, the band will be touring the UK to support the new EP before releasing their album Ethics come Autumn – so it could be said that this is going to be a busy year for the band! We thought it best to check out the new EP to see what’s to be expected!
Opening with Black Watch we’re immediately launched into a distorted and off beat array of guitars, pounding bass and rumbling drums. Contrasting the raucous backing track with soaring vocal lines, there’s a constant barrage of different elements, each one working in harmony with the others to form a sound which is both unexpected and exciting to hear. This ‘off-piste’ approach to music is what makes this such an exciting EP from the minute it gets going, the band isn’t following a set path and instead, is carving a new route through the world of ‘melodic post hardcore’ to form a new sound, a sound which we’ll simply call Late Night Fiction for now.
Following on with Exits, Persued By A Bear the tone changes and everything seems to slow down, opening in a far more serene manner as the soft guitar line beckons the entrance of the drums. Forming a sound which is once again syncopated yet well formed, it’s hard to imagine how these guys are able to pull this sound off live, yet the music is almost a reassurance that they are able – something I’m going to have to get out and witness for myself. Smashy ‘Smashy Beast’ Beast (awesome track name!) comes up next and once again suggests softer things are to follow, this time opening with a guitar tone which is going to melt hearts and get people involved. Soft and melodic, the band continue to demonstrate that they are able to turn their hand to different styles, accomplishing each one to a degree that will make others sit and look on with nothing but admiration (and perhaps a bit of jealousy). Personally, this is one of my favourite tracks on the EP, there’s just something about it which works and really pulls you in. What’s most striking though – no lyrics….and I didn’t even notice.
Dialectics returns us to the rougher side of things, this time opening with a pulsating guitar tone which adds a further element of depth to things. Sounding dark and mysterious from the off, this is a track which is further testament to the ability of the band, somehow taking their sound and warping it into a Biffy Clyro style sound, yet with more power and aggression. The middle crescendo of this track is a moment which sent shivers down my spine as it played out, quite simply a stunning track. All too soon though we’ve reached Relax Please and the end of the EP is in sight. Closing with a raucous and powerful number which has surely been crafted for the live scene, the final moments of this EP leave us as it began, encouraging you to join in, take part and thoroughly get involved with everything the band have got to throw out at you.
Late Night Fiction have only just come onto our radar here at Loud-Stuff, but this is going to be a band that I’m going to be keeping a close eye out for from here onwards. Exciting, energetic, powerful, melodic but most of all, interesting and deep, this is an EP which doesn’t just showcase the sound of a band, it showcases the sound of the future.
To find out more about Late Night Fiction, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Pre-order a copy of the EP for yourself (you know you want to!) HERE
Words: Dave Nicholls