Review: The Islas debut EP 'Oblivion' is a work of indie-rock art
Norwich four-piece The Islas bring their own twang to the indie rock genre, piecing together releases from youth and the experience of British adolescence as they transition into adulthood. Exploring every emotion from the highs to the lows, we see an unfiltered picture exploring each reality in depth.
Forming their staple sound, the group relied upon their mutual desire to put on high energy shows with tight 2 minute tracks. Short but sweet, each new release they share brilliantly showcases their musical talents and captivating storytelling. Proving to be worth their hard work, The Islas have a stage-presence that's seen them support acts like Fickle Friends, Louis Berry and The Amazons.
Reminiscent of artists like The Smiths, Paul Weller and Sam Fender, The Islas feel familiar yet original and their talent is only further highlighted through their plentiful headlining shows and Spotify editorial support.
Commencing the EP with 'Don't Wait For Me', we're fed the narrative of a young adult finding their place in the world through heartfelt lines like 'this one's for all the lost souls, who never felt like they could, never thought that they should' that not only relate to their young audience but make them feel heard. This poignant message of hope is expressed with such elegance, having vocalist Nathan's powerful vocals leading with a radiating echo as perhaps a way to signify the loneliness of growing older. Stripped to the basics, the haunting guitar strums are the only other sound we hear for the majority of the track, before climaxing into an atmospheric instrumental explosion as a finale.
Once you recover from 'Don't Wait For Me', we're thrown straight into 'Rock City' with a straight-up hook of a guitar riff and pounding drums to lead us along quickly. In just under two minutes, this track is jam-packed with addictively euphoric beats, feel-good lyricism detailing drunk nights out and lifting spirits with the youthfully careless energy. Our favourite lyrical line from this tune was the pre-choruses: 'my latest Cinderella passes me a Stella, and I'll be home by five' absolutely radiating British banter and humorous mentions of a fairytale princess.
First single to drop from the EP and third on the bill is 'The Absence Of You', written throughout the confines of lockdown it explores all the intimate post-breakup emotions after the downfall of a long-term relationship. Whilst not yearning for this lost lover, the track explores the hole left in your heart where you're so used to falling back on another's presence within your life. However you wouldn't quite know the lyricism was this profound if you purely listened to the punchiness of the instrumentals in this one; engaging the listener with thundering drums and evolving riffs, The Islas keep their energy high regardless of if their heart is aching. Moments of melancholia are littered into the sounds, mostly within warm and raw vocals and dulled down moments that allow Nathan's words to shine.
Baverstock shares more on 'The Absence Of You' expressing that, “The single is not really a love-sick song about wanting someone back, just the sensation of feeling empty and realising that that chapter of your life has gone.”
'Still Coming On' pertains upbeat rhythms and sharp melodies alongside the most confident vocals we've heard from Nathan yet. With a chorus that expresses the yearning for a past lover or even lost relative in the most instrumentally joyful way possible, The Islas make it digestible to reminisce without your heart breaking all over again. Chorus lines 'I always thought that you'd be there, I thought I didn't need anyone, I'll always miss that good feeling' show a side to loss that isn't as frequently shown. Moving on is natural, but we don't often consider that once we lose someone we also lose a significant part of our lives that we can rarely reconnect with.
Touching and delicately slow, 'All The Same' features Emily Parish in quite a nostalgic vibe. The haunting vocals of Emily harmonise effortlessly with Nathan, displaying unmatched intimacy for the listener to peer into each word they sing. The immaculate storytelling of 'All The Same' will have you picturing movie-esque scenes of a protagonist walking the streets alone in the pouring rain. This damp sadness is matched in the elongated and hearty moving pacing, alongside Nathan's words of such tender depth: 'I'm so jealous of all my brothers, who felt the loving arms of their mothers, I suppose my young life got away.' The lack of overwhelming instrumentals keep the narrative front and centre as you play through this almost 4-minute bittersweet reflection on ageing.
Title track 'Oblivion' is the most cinematic of the lot, with a chorus that feels like the calm before the storm. Their usual quick pacing speeds through the verses that reflect on some social and political commentary like the pandemic and social media movements that do little for their cause. Memorable hooks are littered throughout this stunning final song, setting the group up for what are going to be their most exciting live shows yet.
Check out the full EP yourself here, as it's without a doubt nailed to perfection. Every single track on 'Oblivion' is worth spinning on repeat, and when The Islas start touring again you won't want to miss it.
Written by: Tatiana Whybrow
Photo Credits: James Hubbard
