_Nantes - EP (12/12/2011)
_ Aptly named ‘EP’ is the first release for the young Sydney four-piece Nantes, who are about to take the country by storm. After appearing at Parklife this year the band will soon be enjoying a co-headlining national tour with millions and Northeast Party House this February.
Nantes debut opens with the upbeat 'Fly', which in the past couple of months has enjoyed high rotation on triple j. With a catchy beat held by a couple of demanding piano chords, the song bravely asks "if you could see the end, would you live differently?". Joined playfully by what sounds like a xylophone, the Edward Sharp inspired chorus is one that you can't help tapping along to.
Track two of four is 'Control' where aggressive handclaps meet an electronic sounding melody and full drum lined backbone. The influence of Scottish post-punk rockers Franz Ferdinand seems prominent on this track which at times is reminiscent of the 'Take Me Out' sound of 2004. The Nantes lyric "you're out of control, and I've got you now" ride out the song on a repetitive key progression and end with the instruction to "take control".
Next up is this reviewer's pick of the bunch; the addictive feel-good track 'Charlie'. The big group sound of voices, as in Fly, could be a winning signature characteristic for these lads. Also admirable is the fact that they've left the unmistakeable raw sound of a tambourine being dropped on the floor at the end of this one, and for some reason it just makes it all the more real.
Like an epilogue, 'Lost' is a chilled out rounding off to Nantes debut release. And although this is the longest song of the four, three extra minutes would not have felt out of place. The listener is treated to a melancholy tinkering of xylophone and drumbeats that seemingly come in and out on the tide. The unexpected crashing of drums and an epic vocal chorus of a lyric less 'ahhhhh ahhhhh' are a welcome feature in this bookend track.
EP is a really exciting release for such a new Sydney band. These four songs make for a perfect Sunday afternoon soundtrack, leaving you on a high not unlike the buzz that remains after a festival. Nantes allows an escape from the humdrum, and while some of the lyrics may seem a little juvenile, the overall sound is one of a mature collaboration of young men with a very shiny future.
Andrea Davies
Nantes debut opens with the upbeat 'Fly', which in the past couple of months has enjoyed high rotation on triple j. With a catchy beat held by a couple of demanding piano chords, the song bravely asks "if you could see the end, would you live differently?". Joined playfully by what sounds like a xylophone, the Edward Sharp inspired chorus is one that you can't help tapping along to.
Track two of four is 'Control' where aggressive handclaps meet an electronic sounding melody and full drum lined backbone. The influence of Scottish post-punk rockers Franz Ferdinand seems prominent on this track which at times is reminiscent of the 'Take Me Out' sound of 2004. The Nantes lyric "you're out of control, and I've got you now" ride out the song on a repetitive key progression and end with the instruction to "take control".
Next up is this reviewer's pick of the bunch; the addictive feel-good track 'Charlie'. The big group sound of voices, as in Fly, could be a winning signature characteristic for these lads. Also admirable is the fact that they've left the unmistakeable raw sound of a tambourine being dropped on the floor at the end of this one, and for some reason it just makes it all the more real.
Like an epilogue, 'Lost' is a chilled out rounding off to Nantes debut release. And although this is the longest song of the four, three extra minutes would not have felt out of place. The listener is treated to a melancholy tinkering of xylophone and drumbeats that seemingly come in and out on the tide. The unexpected crashing of drums and an epic vocal chorus of a lyric less 'ahhhhh ahhhhh' are a welcome feature in this bookend track.
EP is a really exciting release for such a new Sydney band. These four songs make for a perfect Sunday afternoon soundtrack, leaving you on a high not unlike the buzz that remains after a festival. Nantes allows an escape from the humdrum, and while some of the lyrics may seem a little juvenile, the overall sound is one of a mature collaboration of young men with a very shiny future.
Andrea Davies