THE CRITICALS - FRONT DOOR CONFRONTATIONS
With a sound and look straight out of 1970’s New York City, The Criticals take us back to a time when music was driven entirely by guitar solos and danceable bass lines. While always adding their own unique flair and eclectic vocals, The Criticals’ latest Front Door Confrontations paints the picture of a dark venue rich with captivating culture and electric live performances.
The new EP kicks off with the high-energy rock tune ‘All The Way.’ With a melody guided by vocalist Parker Forbes’ eclectic style of vocal performance, this track starts the EP off on a light and dance-y note. When listening to traditional, high-energy songs such as this - it’s impossible not to envision the mesmerising energy exuded at their live shows. Serving as both the perfect album and live intro, ‘All The Way’ is the ideal first track to start Front Door Confrontations off on the right foot.
Rather than relying on lyricism to tell the whole story, The Criticals does a fantastic job at using instrumentation to ignite powerful emotions. With ‘Belmont’ being driven by a soaring guitar solo that serves as the track’s entire chorus, the band brings a refreshing new perspective of tangibility in a world that often feels calculated and processed.
‘Call The Cliché’ takes influence from the more modern but still nostalgic indie-rock artists of the 2010’s, bringing a bright and summery energy to an otherwise dark and gritty EP. Whereas the lead single ‘Clever Girl,’ paired with the obvious retro-inspired music video, is quintessential The Criticals. With obvious influence from 1970’s rock paired with a unique vocal flair and modern production elements, this track was the obvious choice to represent the Front Door Confrontation’s overall vibe.
Closing out this EP with sing-along anthem and title track ‘Front Door Confrontations,’ the new release feels perfectly wrapped in a bow by the band’s immaculate attention to detail and impossible-to-deny charisma. Without any noticeable synths or vocal effects throughout, The Criticals take us back to a time when rock was ruled by tangible instruments, and bands carried a natural flair and charm.
Emily Gottlieb
★★★★☆