Album Review: The Switchblade Masquerade - Goodnight EP
I have to admit, when I first saw the band’s name, I had pre-assumptions as to how their music would sound like. But, thank fully I decided to give them listening time and all pre-assumptions are now out the window. I admit it, I was wrong to judge their music by their name and vow not to do so in future. Ladies and Gentlemen, I delightfully present to you, The Switchblade Masquerade.If you were asked to summarise The Switchblade Masquerade’s sound without listening thoroughly to ‘Goodnight’, their debut EP, then most unintelligable individuals would say “Female fronted synth music, bit like Paramore.” Oh how very wrong they are indeed. The Switchblade Masquerade’s music is most associated to the electronic sound of french artist ‘M83’, of which their music demonstrates soothing imagery and drawn-out bliss. And this is a more accurate description to Switchblade’s music. True and without any general, sweeping accusations.
The opening song, ‘How You Feel’ sets the scene of the album perfectly; A piano intro that wouldn’t look out of place if it was playing in the background of an overly used cliche setting of a sunset over two lovers gazing out to sea. The vocals don’t shatter the image when they are introduced, but melt in to build an exciting start to the album. This is how any intro to any album or EP should be; settling you into the mood of the album. So far, so good. The next few songs head in the direction of a more upbeat style, however still keep echoed refrences to the shockinlgy brilliant opening song. ‘Hold Until You Break’ includes the synth sounds that keep the EP refreshing. With each song, you assume that you have The Switchblade Masquerade’s overall sound tied down and examined, but with each song on the album, female vocalist Erin shakes free of you’re grip and subjects you to more ideas that her and partner on guitar and synth, ‘Sheepy’ have brewed together for you’re listening pleasure. And thats the most exciting thing about The Switchblade Masquerade; eagerly anticipating what each song will give you on you’re first play, and then you will want to revisit each song to relive the first time you heard it. I know this is true from repeatedly listening to it myself and im sure that any person out their that has rightfully given their time to Switchblade’s EP will agree aswell.
Elegant, yet creepingly mysterious will be everyone’s first thoughts of song ‘Its Not Written’. I haven’t heard any lyrics such as “Crash and burn/We’re heading down” that read so synyster on paper, yet are beautifully strung together as Erin’s voice soars over the scaling of the backing synth. Further in to the album you realise that this is soudning less like an EP and more like an album by a band that has been doing this for years. Most band’s EP’s are often a tuned up version of the demos that they have been playing since they formed in their guitarist’s garage or basement, yet The Switchblade Masquerade sound like Glasgow royalty in comparison. ‘Fallen For You’ is clearly single material, just wanting to break free to glide through the ears of anyone and into the hearts of everyone.
As the EP begins to come to a close, we can recognise more influences and links to bands that are more intelligent than just stating that ‘every female fronted band sounds like Paramore’. ‘Realise’ sounds like a mash up of Shakira with All American Rejects, whilst Tarja Turunen overwatches the situation as these two artists collide and gets pulled into the mix. As ugly as that might sound, The Switchblade Masquerade pull it off with prefection. ‘Wake Me Up’ is going to cause Valencia fans to swoon as they clutch hold of ‘We Don’t Need A Reason To Believe’ as they hum the high-pitched synth of the closer of The Switchblade Masquerade’s EP. Shane Henderson seems to have been giving out vocal lessons, as Erin has emulated the female version of his pitch perfect voice.
The Switchblade Masquerade deserve you’re undevided attention. Scratch the surface of their blissful, anthemic debut album (its far too professional to be an EP) and you will have something quite special that will be plauyed time and time again. With the right management and an expansive tour, this band could build quite a following. But for now, this record is a valiant effort that, if not generalised before being played, will certainly cause alot of heads to turn.
9/10
Andy Touch
