I’m not going to pretend like I’m an impartial reviewer for this one, I think ESTRONS are awesome. Hearing “Make a Man” for the first time a couple of months back, I was immediately drawn to the power of the guitar riffs and the feistiness of Taliesyn Källström’s vocals.
In fact, before I carry on, go watch the video. Seriously, I’ll wait.
Good, eh? Well, with their new EP, “Whoever She Was…,” the band certainly didn’t disappoint my now lofty expectations. “Make a Man” is accompanied by three other tracks which all have distinct sounds and moods but retain the same impact and songwriting prowess for which ESTRONS are fast becoming known.
“Aliens” opens with gently strummed guitar chords in a similar style to those which open “Make a Man,” but instead of dropping straight into a fast riff, we’re greeted by something altogether more mellow. The verse gently rocks back and forth with the drums steadily holding things in check, allowing Källström’s low voice to wind over the top before the tension is released—and with Rhodri Daniel’s guitar almost whining (in a good way), the chorus is unleashed. But still the steady pace is held until toward the end of the song, almost as the musical equivalent of a “now!”, the drums take their foot off the brake and ESTRONS do what they do best.
The final two tracks off the EP, “Ysbrydoli,” which is sung entirely in Welsh and gives a strong nod to the Manic Street Preachers’ “You Stole the Sun From My Heart” (which may or may not be conscious), and “I (Don’t) Want You”—which again has a fantastic hook and the same great use of tension and release but without “Aliens” great outro or “Make a Man”’s “hit” nature—make for 4 track EP which showcases all aspects of what ESTRONS are bringing to the table brilliantly.
“Whoever She Was…” is released via Gofod Records Ltd and is in stores now.
