By Daffs (TwoDaff)
Lyon Tide are an alternative electro pop/rock band from Birmingham consisting of Darren Barnard (Vocals and Guitars), Anthony La Pusata (Lyrics and Keyboards) and Girish Patel (Drums and Bass). Since the release of their debut single ‘Closure’ back in 2020 along with an album ‘Beginnings of Ends’ in 2021, Lyon Tide have continued to hone their talent, creating atmospheric music, testing boundaries through the use of expansive synths, passionate lyrics on love, loss and life. Their creativity doesn’t stop there, through writing and video production they cover all bases.
“Atmospheric music, testing boundaries”
Their last single ‘Chemical Burn’ released in July 2022 is now followed with their latest album ‘Life Pop Bang’ released on 16th September along with the title single. I was privileged to have been invited to the advance listening party where the album was played in all its glory and the tracks were discussed. It really gave an insight into the band and their way of thinking along with their song writing techniques. It was a pleasure to attend and a really insightful evening.
So, to the album itself. It opens with their previous single ‘Chemical Burn’, a track I previously reviewed in July. I wont dwell on it here, read the Review Here, what I will say is that it’s about a teenager’s first love romance which ends. The title refers to the feeling of being in love at that age and then the burning sensation once the relationship is over. Multi layered and complex it’s a great opener.
‘Chewing Gum’, in complete contrast is dark lyrically and tells of how women are so badly treated in show business whether as an actor or artist. It has a fantastic deep luxurious bass line that really resonates and thunders, a completely different sound to the previous track. Although the lyrics and subject matter are ‘dark’ the rhythm is vibrant and uplifting, a musical Jekyll and Hyde. On top of all this a powerful melodic vocal wraps around the power of the drum and bass with a full-on shredding guitar solo to finish the track.
“A musical Jekyll and Hyde”
Next up is yet another change in mood, vibe and feeling, ‘Bittersweet Envy’ has that Madness Nutty boy rhythm mixed with hints of 80’s electronica. Again, its luxurious, the chorus line is anthemic really lifts you despite the subject matter. It’s about that vicious circle when end a relationship and then feel remorse and jealousy when you see them with someone else and decide you want them back. It has a real bouncy feel packed with melodies and keyboard/synth runs.
‘Silent Words’ (Feat Julia Faulks) was released as a single on 8th October 2021 and describes the unspoken feelings when you see a person across the room, you want them but are both in another relationship and so decide to do nothing about it. Again, it’s a completely different feel, yet it has that depth and complexity that Lyon Tide bring to their music. Julia’s vocal is haunting yet delicate and yet it has a warmth that fills the track. A beautiful song.
“Depth and complexity”
Next up and a change of pace, for the aptly title ‘Change’ the band describe it as a Jerry Lewis style piano, fast paced and is really a social commentary on the world today and how we as humans are never going to change. Again, it’s an uplifting track in it’s a tonality and rhythm with a honky tonk piano. The vocal again lifts the track. To me, and it is just my opinion, I was reminded of Ian Page of Secret Affair in the chorus. The lyrics are great in that they are powerful and to some extent worrying as it they portray the things that are relevant in today’s society…” Entering a building with a bomb on your back, going to the football with a baseball bat” No point in hiding it’s the world we live in today unfortunately.
‘Outline’ tells of the feeling of emptiness before or after a break-up. Upbeat and full of melodies, deep, rich synths and a bouncy uplifting rhythm takes us to the next track ‘Alone’ released on 8th April 2022. This poignant track obviously has a lot of personal meaning to the band as it is dedicated to a close friend of theirs who struggled with his/her sexuality and because they felt alone in this struggle decided to cut their life short. A beautiful vocal, packed with emotion and yet despite the back story its warming, its relaxing. It gives you a ‘Comfortably Numb’ feeling. Atmospheric and resonating.
“Packed with emotion”
The next track is a swipe at modern technology and in particular Mobile phones. Written in collaboration with Lines of Flight. ‘Held in our Hands’ to me says it all about today (I suppose am a bit of a dinosaur…I still use two cups and a piece of string). I digress, it is a fun track, catchy and full of rhythm.
‘Life Pop Bang’, the title track is next, and is my favourite track, as soon as I heard the ‘War of the Worlds’ style foreboding intro I was hooked. I find the concept behind this fascinating based upon the famous 1956 book “The Boy with The Red Balloon” by Silvana Sardi. The red balloon metaphorically represents happiness until the world around the boy tries to transform that happiness into suffering. Lyon Tide have adapted this concept and made the red balloon what life is today. An electronic journey and with the initial intro running through it, gives whole track a real edginess. It is Sure to be a great single this.
The penultimate track is ‘Vibration’ and is about feeling someone’s presence after they have gone. Another atmospheric track both vocally and musically. The vocal is emotive, almost yearning, begging for something.
“The vocal is emotive”
Finally, we have ‘One Way Love’ when I first heard the intro I was instantly reminded of ‘Love Reign O’er Me by the Who, I suppose the use of waves crashing on a beach did that. This is a classic end track, in fact, if this was a physical CD it would be the classic ‘Hidden track’ remember those? Its warming soothing, and envelopes you, wraps you up. A beautiful way to end what is a marvellous album.
“The classic Hidden track”
Life Pop Bang refers to the general theme of each track, the social issues we find ourselves facing in everyday life, it is a social commentary, its relevant to today and because of that it is relatable, pick any track and it will resonate with someone. The album was created with various musical genres and influences that crosshatch and interweave throughout, from the Dubstep R&B style of Chemical Burn, the metallic electric guitars of Chewing Gum and the Jerry Lewis style pianos of Change, however, despite all of that, the Lyon Tide sound is always prominent combining synths, new wave and indie rock.
Lyon Tide draw inspiration from a multitude of genres and blend this into the modern day, producing a unique sound and an album of eleven singles. A must listen for everyone!
Find out more here
