Psychedelic-punk group The Brookes return with two new singles - 'Bleed Me Dry' and 'Open Road'.
The first single, 'Bleed Me Dry', opens with lingering, ambient synth, then suddenly explodes into a ferocious frenzy of brutal drums and distorted guitar, before welcoming front man Benjamin Keal's suave vocals.
It's a monumental track that showcases the bands strengths perfectly. Poetic, political (yet not preachy) lyrics, brooding bass, menacingly moreish guitar riffs and punchy percussion, all delivered with a radioactive energy.
It's undeniably enigmatic. The snarling vocals paired with the aggressive instrumentals creates an ominous yet hypnotic sound. It's unnerving but makes you want to dance at the same time - exactly what a clever neo-psyche / post-indie group should be doing. It's not a pretty song, it demands your undivided attention.
The B-side 'Open Road' has a gritty, unpolished charm. Simple piano and guitar melodies accompany Keal's vocals in a chilled no-frills ballad.
Although the song's charm stems from it's rawness, it sounds like it's unfinished. It either needs to be stripped right back, and be a really vulnerable, harrowing track, as the guitar adds nothing apart from to mark the start of the chorus and just results in it sounding a little sparse.
Alternatively, it needs to be elevated to a modern power-ballad, maybe through adding some interwoven melodies or adding ambient harmonies.
The Brookes are an exceptionally clever and witty band and they're capable of producing something that packs a bigger punch. It's not bad by any means, just a little anti-climatic compared to their other tracks - especially as 'Bleed Me Dry' is arguably their strongest release to date.
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