The debut EP from York-based blues rock band, stickybackplastics. begins with a murky bassline and slightly hesitant vocal... and then it breaks out into a thumping chorus which sees singer Heather Niven effortlessly move from delicate and sensitive to big and guys in the smash of a cymbal. ‘Vampire’ is all about the dynamics, and they work it well. It also sounds vaguely familiar – they’re from my neck of the woods, but I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen them, which means it must be one of those songs that manages to draw on its influences while being suitably original at the same time.
The other two tracks on the EP reveal stickybackplastics. to be masters of the strolling bassline, the haunting, goth-tinged echoing guitar and forging a sound that combines post-punk and folk to strong effect. ‘Ten Years’ is a slower number, more overtly blues rock orientated and brooding, Heather coming on soulful and bruised in the verses but again a folksier, proggy edge is in evidence in the anthemic chorus.
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To describe it as ‘accomplished’ would be to understate the fact this is a shadowy and utterly compelling release, and it doesn’t only show promise, but provides immediate fulfilment. Quality.
stickybackplastics. online
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