Don’t make the same mistake we did. Track One ‘Ache’, from W H A T E V E R’s new ‘How Unfortunate’ begins with the mumblings of a quiet, older man and, because we didn’t hear any music, our volume was up way too high for the start of the song…
As normal service resumes and our speakers are playing at a reasonable level, the song has a charming low-fi sound like a band you’ve probably seen because your brother’s friend’s cousin plays in it. Sounding gritty and home-made, they’re even called Whatever; what part of your teenage garage band dream doesn’t have that included.
‘Getaway’ has a poppier sound. Whispering vocals, jangling guitars and a regular bass drum verge towards indie throughout the verse, before a messy, interesting chorus that has the drama of some of the smartest songwriters. Have they been listening to Say Anything?
More vocal effects in third track ‘Blank’, starting with their lead singer, we presume, singing from the depths of a cave. It’s understated from then on, however, and could go for the best song on the EP. ‘How Unfortunate’, another cheerily titled song, has guitar riffs taken from a metal album and packs a punch for the short time it’s around for its whole instrumental performance.
Clearly ‘Misery’ has taken influence from My Chemical Romance and Panic At The Disco. Unlike the other songs on the EP, it’s as though they’ve deliberately tried to write a song in the same vein of the bands: the “oh my, oh my” exclamation is verging on cringe-worthy. Their material that sounds wholly original is exciting and intriguing, while this is just a sub-standard model of a fantastic predecessor, like a rip off Madame Tussauds where the waxworks just don’t look right.
‘Run’ verges towards a more emo sound again, but it’s never boring. Describing themselves as pop-punk, W H A T E V E R don’t show the tropes of many bands of the genre; the squeaky clean sound and vivid imagery replaced with simple lyricism, grunge choruses and intricate, untraditional melodies that you wouldn’t see on Warped Tour.
There are things on this EP that 65 Days of Static and Arcane Roots would be proud of. Have a listen, just don’t turn your headphones up too high. This is noise, but at its best.
KATHRYN BLACK