Foreign Affairs – ‘Prologue’ EP In Review
Do you remember when Pop-Punk had a decent pair of balls?
I have been finding it hard to remember too…
It seems to me that the balls of Pop-Punk have been squeezed thoroughly by consumerism’s hands, leading to squeaky clean, over produced, high pitched bollocks. It makes me feel queasy. Enter Northern Ireland Pop-Punk four-piece, Foreign Affairs. This band have got balls.
Since forming in 2012, Foreign Affairs have gone from strength to strength, establishing their name in their local music scene. Speaking through their own Martin Millers, Foreign Affairs claim that they took ‘no half measures‘ and did everything their way, while doing their best to be as professional as possible. MF can’t argue with that. In fact, MF straight up respects that.
The band pride themselves as winners of a number of battle of the bands competitions, whilst also having a number of their songs played on radio stations, both local and international. Having just released their debut EP Prologue (which is available via their bandcamp account), it seems the follow up is already coming to the boil.
The band spend the majority of their time ‘gigging [their] hearts out’, in a hope that there are people out there that share their passion for music. It seems to me they have got the Punk etiquette down to a T. We like that sensibility a lot here at MF. Let’s have a look at this Prologue EP then shall we?
1. Familiar Faces – Track one, ‘Familiar Faces’, kicks things off boisterously. The main riff will raise a smile without a doubt; all high pitch guitar squealing with plenty of confidence and attitude. The vocals croon with feeling over the quickly chugging verses, breaking into aggression in all the right places throughout the track; a particular favourite of mine being the threatening growling of, ‘all they see are familiar faces’, which sits nicely just before a heavy instrumental section. The clap along section is crafted with finesse and a clear understanding of the genre. Top notch.
2. Contradiction Fiction – Literature students like myself love track titles like this. ‘Contradiction Fiction’ continues the formula of ‘Familiar Faces’, with a particularly hooking post-chorus shout-along. The riff is again bright and joyous with chorus lyrics that spread through you like a rash you don’t want to itch. Oh, and mate, that guitar solo. Fuck me. Someone has spent some time practising and mastering. I love it.
3. Houston – ‘Houston’ adds a change of pace to the EP, leaving more space for a more melodic approach to the song writing. By the way, yes, there are glorious gang chants (a necessary staple for ‘old Punk’ lovers like myself). A real sense of feeling is portrayed with the vocals running elegantly through the music clearly crafted with sincerity. If you are after a bit of heart, come here.
4. Signal Fires – The closing track ‘Signal Fires’ opens with a swaggering riff straight from the core of Rock ‘n’ Roll. I am not sure if the band will appreciate me saying this, but the track really harks me back to the good vibes of the closing moments to My Chemical Romance’s ‘Danger Days’ LP. A tender little reminder to me of the little pop-punker that dwells underneath all my pretensions and cynicism. I love it.
The EP can be found – along with other releases – on the band’s bandcamp. And for updates check their Facebook page.
That just about rounds things up on Foreign Affairs- for now – and means it’s probably about time I shut up again. So, as always from us here at the MF team.
#StayFresh
