brightside

“Never take your hand off the piece, not if it could help you save your queen.”

Happy new year from @brightsidevenice ….

2015 was our first year as a band! Grateful for all your love and support on the journey!

See you all in 2016!!

This EP is better than your shitty apple juice

“How do you know what’s out beyond?”

listen: https://brightsidepgh.bandcamp.com/album/the-world-reversed

Pittsburgh based indie-rock band Brightside show off their chops on their latest release “The World Reversed”. On this EP, Brightside seems to go for a sound that they were really trying to nail on their second album Now and Loud, and while that album might have been spotty in places, they absolutely kill it here.

One thing that draws me towards this release is the guitar tones– it’s a dream pop take on Johnny Marr styled guitars and I really dig that. Not to undercut their vocalist though; in fact, these are some of the most refreshing vocals I’ve heard on an indie rock release this year. One thing that really caught me on this EP was Matt V’s wails, especially during this EP’s highlight, which was “The High Priestess”. Near the end of that song their vocalist seems to be damn near screaming his brains out. It’s really good.

I’d also like to add in that the production on this release might be some of the best damn production I’ve heard all year: It’s crisp when it needs to be, but it also has a sense of mystery to it, the drums really pop on this EP too. My only issue with this release so far is that the bass doesn’t really have any weight to it, even though their bassist definitely has some chops. In fact, the bass playing on this EP is really solid, especially on “The World”. It’s just a shame that it’s mixed so low.

For an EP, Brightside really seem to be showing off what might be in store for future releases, and if their next album is anything like this, I’m definitely excited.

8/10

“How do you know what’s up beyond?”

listen: https://brightsidepgh.bandcamp.com/album/the-world-reversed

Pittsburgh based indie-rock band Brightside show off their chops on their latest release “The World Reversed”. On this EP, Brightside seems to go for a sound that they were really trying to nail on their debute album Now and Loud, and while that album might have been spotty in places, they absolutely kill it here.

One thing that draws me towards this release is the guitar tones– it’s a dream pop take on Johnny Marr styled guitars and I really dig that. Not to undercut their vocalist though; in fact, these are some of the most refreshing vocals I’ve heard on an indie rock release this year. One thing that really caught me on this EP was Matt V’s wails, especially during this EP’s highlight, which was “The High Priestess”. Near the end of that song their vocalist seems to be damn near screaming his brains out. It’s really good.

I’d also like to add in that the production on this release might be some of the best damn production I’ve heard all year: It’s crisp when it needs to be, but it also has a sense of mystery to it, the drums really pop on this EP too. My only issue with this release so far is that the bass doesn’t really have any weight to it, even though their bassist definitely has some chops. In fact, the bass playing on this EP is really solid, especially on “The World”. It’s just a shame that it’s mixed so low.

For an EP, Brightside really seem to be showing off what might be in store for future releases, and if their next album is anything like this, I’m definitely excited.

8/10

Photos: Brightside / December 4, 2015 / Union Transfer

See more at http://musicmattersnj.tumblr.com/photos or