By Daffs (TwoDaff)
After 2-year Hiatus, Birmingham outfit The Arosa are back with their debut E.P ‘Electric Friday’ . Transcending from the depths of Rock n Roll, 90’s trance and Modern Indie, the band have a wide range of influences including The Stone Roses, Peace, jaws, The Cure, Joy Division and Fat Boy slim.
Formed in 2018, the current line up consists of Jay Storey (Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar), Ben Griffin (Lead Guitar), Joe Turner (Bass, Vocals), Sam Turner (Keys/Synth/Acoustic Guitar and Vocals) and Joe Hackett (Drums).
Previous releases include ‘In Chemicals’ and ‘Just Not Today’ along with ‘Sylvia’ and ‘Cast Some Light’. The band have also previously supported The Lightning Seeds, Fickle Friends and The Academic. Now the band are back, with flaming guitars carrying a Stone Roses resonance, machine-gun drums, chant-like vocals and highly infectious choruses to yell out at the top of your vibrating lungs.
Electric Friday Is a five track EP, the title track, released as a single opens with a screech of feedback and a barrage of drums, loud and energetic. A colourful, melodic guitar riff opens up the track further, its bright and uplifting. Then a strong clean vocal, reminiscent of an early Ian Brown in its delivery lifts it again and the anthemic chorus “It’s coming back to me, threw me overboard” hits you with all the swagger that the roses had. Complete with melodic, thunderous bass lines, explosive beats and soaked in vibrant, upbeat guitar riffs, it’s an anthemic opening track.
“Soaked in vibrant, upbeat guitar riffs”
Next up is a change of pace with Forever, velvety rich vocals on top of intoxicating guitar riffs, smooth bass lines and atmospheric yet upbeat synths give an emotional kick to proceedings. It really is a gorgeous track. The chorus, again is anthemic, making you want to shout it out loud. This track was also released as a single and I can see why.
“Velvety rich vocals”
Mercury is next and starts with an atmospheric synth that adds an air of tension that’s quickly released with introduction of acoustic and chiming lead guitars, instantly taking me back to the 90’s Britpop era, it all blends perfectly, and just soars when again, that rich vocal tone takes over. Classic indie and again with an anthemic ‘Shout it back at you’ chorus.
We have a different vibe next, it will come around is a step away from the guitar driven previous tracks, although they are still there, its heavy in synths/keys and a banging drum beat, it builds to a crescendo before exploding into a wall of sound, this is a floor filler literally! If you don’t dance to this then you need to leave the room. Its infections, anthemic (again). The vocals take on a different tone, slightly ominous yet still upbeat. Take away the vocal and you have a great dance track but with the vocal addition it brings back that indie vibe. Brilliant track this.
“This is a floor filler literally!”
Another Shot in the Dark is packed with powerful guitars, energetic, pummelling drums and a rumbling, resonating bass. It’s fast-paced rock with a modern indie vibe and leering swagger, the guitars in this just soar, emotive vocals are delivered with a real punch giving the track a real kick. Again, its rich, full bodied and tight. Yet again another quality track.
“Indie vibe and leering swagger”
Overall, this EP is, in my opinion, has it all, it has variety, each song is different yet they all go together really well. There’s a plethora of fantastic guitars, the indie/Britpop/rock vibe along with slower paced more emotive tracks yet they are all anthems and then there is a dancefloor banger. There’s colour and vibrancy within all the tracks, great beats, fantastic vocals and all packaged into one tight unit. I can’t recommend this EP enough.
Get it here
