I Talk To Strangers – The Debut EP.

I Talk To Strangers – London, England, United Kingdom.

Formed in 2014 in and around Edgware and Southgate in London, England, I Talk To Strangers have just released their debut self-titled EP. Six tracks stamped with their own blend Pop-Rock via a strong set influence ranging from Jeff Buckley and Fleetwood Mac to Biffy Clyro, The Civil War, The Beatles and Sigur Ros.

The band’s love of diversity and culture makes their the location a perfect one for inspiration. They aim to re-humanise and communicate a love of multi-culture openly and again, London is a great place to do this, with it’s status as one of the biggest multi-cultural centres globally.

The band’s sound is self described as ‘Alternative Pop-Rock’ and in all honesty, I think they’ve hit the nail on the head with that one, but at the same time, this release wasn’t what I expected and here’s why.

\\I Talk To Strangers//

The first notes of ‘Welcome To Life (Where Anything Is Possible)’ were as hinted prior to this sentence, un expected. With rhythms that could almost be jagged and Punk influenced, the intro is driven far heavier than expected. Later into the track there are some injections from Georgina Daniels before she’s given the limelight and the chance to contrast Alexanders Barnett’s already sound vocal work.

The biggest surprise in this one was not the high noted crescendo but the quite frankly metallic breakdowns playing out the debut’s opener. I’m not entirely sure how this came to pass but what I can say is that it really gives this anthem of determination it’s gutsy appeal.

‘Sentimental Days’ cements the fact that this release isn’t going to be a monotonous single-genre affair, theres nothing wrong with coherent albums but you know what I mean. It’s slower and showcases a nice soft vocal ballad between both Bennet and Daniels.

‘The Tale Of Tortuga’ clocks in at almost five-minutes and begins with a soft-shelled guitar-tone. Daniels vocals come into there own here comparably with the previous two tracks and suit the musical backing. That said, the plugged in almost arbitrary riffage – yes riffage – makes a brief interjection before normally is restored, and it’s not unwelcome, melding well with the some tone the songs takes intermittently.

It’s a longer track an ambitiously placed one a that, but it works, try it, maybe with some Rum.

I saw the title of ‘Hopelessly (In love With You)’ and was admittedly cautious. Musically the track is cheeky, upbeat and more Folk orientated, while the lyrics, the reason for my prospective caution weren’t as I expected at all, rather very grass roots. This is literally a lovey-dovey Pop song but a good one at that. Done.

The next inline is a piano ballad. The versatility of this duo is an interesting one. This is debut release yet it’s content sounds relaxed and comfortable in a more professional manner, yet at the same time, six tracks doesn’t seem enough, especially with the genre crossovers. This is both a criticism as much as it isn’t, as within itself, it provides anticipation towards what the band will do next. I’ll let you dissect this number, listen below.

‘Harvest The Guardian’ closes the EP, it’s a soft number like its predecessor but with the guitar safely plugged back in and a soft drumbeat acting as an escort. Around 2:53 the songs turns from a rallying ensemble of emotionally tied sentences to a rallying cry, from soft Indie-Pop/Rock to a far larger soaring Alternative Rock number, a perfect way to end both the song and EP.

‘Burn bridges, just break them down, I don’t know where to go, take me back to where we started – thats where we end’

As debut a release, I Talk To Strangers, approaches music from multiple directions and experiments as a whole as well as track-by-track. Arguably a dangerous move for a debut, the band have pulled it off, so if any of the above prose and musical compositions resonate, follow the links below.

• Social Media: Facebook & Twitter.
• Music: iTunes, ‘FREE/Name Your Price’ on bandcamp, as well as on Amazon, Spotify, SoundCloud and Google Play.
• One last note, for the band’s active work in London in celebration and promotion of culture, find their second Facebook page dedicated to such – HERE.

#StayFresh