EP REVIEW- Among The Echoes, "Freak"

Following their popular gig at Birmingham’s O2 Academy in January Birmingham band, Among The Echoes, have been busy recording a new four track EP, Freak. The addition of producer and guitarist Sam Wale to the band’s line up has added both a new dimension and sparkle to their already polished sound, which skilfully manages to fuse 80s electronica akin to Fiction Factory, Talk Talk and Depeche Mode with a more contemporary sound such as that from indietronica band M83.

The lead track, Freak, is an absolute earworm that swirls its way into your head with captivating ethereal synths, heavy bass, and dark vocals before stomping into the chorus with an uplifting 80s synth riff and vocals akin to Siouxsie Sioux and David Bowie, courtesy of Rachael O’Hara and Ian Wall respectively. The following song, Talk Talk, continues this powerful theme teaming Phil Lockhart’s brilliantly fuzzy bassline with escalating vocals which become fantastically needy by the end of the track. Steve Turrell’s soaring synth in the chorus intensifies the great drop that follows, with the band’s trademark dark edge being present throughout.

Whilst still firmly in the same vein, Pure, manages to bring a slightly more rock feel to the table courtesy of a gritty guitar backdrop in the chorus. The vocals are softer than the previous two tracks but this provides a great contrast, and serves to create a fantastic build up to the final track, Feels Like Heaven. This track covers Fiction Factory’s popular electronic hit of the 80s in a new, unexpected way, resulting in nostalgic electronica with a new twist. With a slow, moody beat overlaid by an otherworldly synth and gravelly rock guitar, the vocals weave in and out of the verses and chorus to an escalating interlude, before bringing the EP to a shuddering close. Fiction Factory’s Eddie Jordan gives a ringing endorsement of Among The Echoes’ new version of Feels Like Heaven calling it “amazing”, and he is not wrong.

With fantastic production by Sam Wale, fans of dark wave, 80s electronica and indie synth pop will not be disappointed with this EP. Freak is released for digital download on 1st April and is available on Amazon, iTunes, CDBaby and the usual digital outlets.

Hear the first exclusive radio play of the EP in full on Johnny Normal's Radio Show at www.radio-happy.com on Tuesday 26th March between 20:00 and 22:00 UK time!

Track listing:
1. Freak
2. Talk Talk
3. Pure
4. Feels Like Heaven

Links:
Among The Echoes website
Sam Wale Productions website

SINGLE REVIEW - Among The Echoes, "Freak"

Birmingham band, Among The Echoes, have a unique style that manages to successfully fuse dark wave, synth pop, ambience and 80s electronica, the result of which has spawned tracks such as the intriguing earworm, "Freak". Whilst the song would not be out of place in a Depeche Mode set due the expert use of ethereal and swirling synths courtesy of Among The Echoes’ Steve Turrell, it is also reminiscent of the style of current indietronica band, M83, and reminds me in particular of M83’s fantastic track “Couleurs” from their “Saturdays=Youth” album.

With lead vocals from Rachael O’Hara and Ian Wall, who sound uncannily like Siouxsie Sioux and David Bowie respectively, and edgy bass from Phil Lockhart, “Freak” swirls moodily through dark verses to the stop-start of a softer interlude, before sweeping up into an anthemic chorus. Fans of dark wave electronica will not be disappointed – this an absolute gem that is likely to awaken an urge to dig through your music collection for similar 80s, dark wave and indietronica anthems.

To listen to "Freak" go to this link to Among The Echoes' Soundcloud page.

Among The Echoes will be headlining the Birmingham O2 Academy on 25th January, 2013. For more information on the band, gig dates and tracks visit the Among The Echoes website at www.amongtheechoes.co.uk or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/amongechoes.