#stockmanager

There is a natural, easy feel to the song writing. The songs flow well. Although the influences are clear it doesn't feel like an attempt to recreate the past or copy.  It feels genuine and from the heart.  Both the opening track and the last, ‘Like A Woman Giving Birth’, have an upbeat catchy drum beat that helps lift the songs and adds a slight pop element to them.  The vocals are melodic and have touches of Smashing Pumpkins on occasion.  

I like the production on this EP. The songs have space to breath and it’s a welcome break from the usual ‘volume war’ type of over production you tend to get these days.  The slightly rough edges of the recording in places adds to a sense of intimacy and charm that’s very appealing. 

Acoustic guitars,  fuzzy guitars,  nice melodies,  catchy beats - there might not be anything earth-shatteringly original or genre defining here but I found myself going back to listen again and have done a few times over the last couple of days. 

Well written, unpretentious indie music you want to listen to again. 

Listen to Stock Manager on bandcamp.

The first track is called ‘Sex Change’ and for me is the stand out track of the 5 songs. It has perhaps a Nirvana-influenced sound, but crossed with the vocals of Interpol, and ends up sounding like their twisted love child, the sort of song you can imagine this being played in a cool B Movie, at the part where the two main characters realise they are about to go on a wild ride and become lifelong friends and/or lovers. It’s dark, and a little bit twisted, but that’s how good music should be. 

Numero dos on the track listing, ‘Waterfall’, feels light and more relaxed than its heavy, dark counterpart on track one. It has shadows of the Pixies, with a mellow beginning which fades into a heavy ending, complete with distorted, screamy vocals.  Much the same can be said for the next song ‘Can’t Be Found’, more vocal distortion on this, mixed with melodic guitars and heavy drums are a winner again.

The last two tracks ‘Hate ur Face’ and ‘Hate the Way You Kiss Me’ are, in my opinion, quite similar. They feel like a continuation of one another. It feels as if Jack is singing about an ex he doesn’t want to get back with, and in the bluntest way possible, telling them to leave him alone forever. ‘Hate ur Face’ has jangly guitars, like its partner track but there is certainly something darker underneath it all.

Overall this 5 track EP was a pleasant surprise. When I looked it up on Bandcamp and it said “Recorded in a room and bedrooms” I was a little weary that it would sound amateurish - but how wrong I was! Grab the chance to check out this EP, you wont be disappointed.

 ‘Blasé’ on Bandcamp.

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