Northern Horizon – The ‘Blues and Breakdowns’ EP 09/07/18.
Northern Horizon – Newcastle, England, United Kingdom.
For our previous work on the band – Click Here.
Returning with their third EP this time 100% a product of their Newcastle based creative minds, Northern Horizon are heading in a new direction which they themselves describe as ‘interesting’. The band’s Easycore Pop-Punk has always shown tendencies towards the Pop-Rock end of the genre but also harder Punk music and even Hardcore, all of which seem to be naturally bubbling to the surface as Northern Horizon age as a unit.
Blues and Breakdowns begins with a sombre introduction followed by vocals reminiscent of Goldfinger and John Feldman over lyrics not too fond of apparent manipulation post-revelation. Northern Horizon channel late 90’s early 2000’s Pop-Punk in a way they haven’t really explored before and it more than suits them, but theres more! If Easycore is still your audio tipple then the band haven’t forgotten that either.
Northern Horizon are apparently not so much a Pop-Punk band after the unpredictable and satisfying riffage of ‘Rewind’. The track as per it’s name sake quite fittingly takes us back to a time where metallic-Post-Hardcore only eased it’s assault with the odd but indeed well place melodic guitar line. The band’s vocals are at their hardest and straddle contemporary Hardcore well but also interestingly show a band who are just about old enough to remember whatever the hell was going on with Nu-Metal back in the day. I saw you smile then, don’t hide it!
‘Black and Blue’ again changes the pace. Going into this EP Northern Horizon very explicitly and heavily stated that there were going in blind and on their own and upon arrival, explored themselves fully. ‘Black and Blue’ although contrasting the previous track a little too much depending on taste refines the band’s foundation Easycore sound with welcome 90’s-isms that you can’t help but enjoy.
‘Work This Out’ again alters the band’s trajectory. By now it is clear what the band are doing or at least it is clear how the writing and recording sessions proceeded. Northern Horizon adore Easycore, they have a penchant for the more Hardcore things in life (sound) and have also clearly done their home work.
To tie this off, ‘Work This Out’ is a near perfect 90’s Skate-Pop-Punk tune that I will surely cry over if it doesn’t become an unambiguous, unequivocal fan favourite.
Is this EP surprising? Yes. Is it a little hard to grasp at times, yes it is – but does it also rescue itself via it’s own sonic risk? Undoubtedly. Northern Horizon are on to something, make sure you keep them company.
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