Epsom band ‘Brightlight City’ formed together holistically back in 2010, following long time friendships and brotherhood (the Giarraputo brothers- Jamie on vocals and Justin on guitar.)
Their debut single ‘Pressure’ was self released at the end of 2010 and can be heard on the cult British film ‘Jack Falls’. And their single ‘The Others’ was a bombastic frothily beating heart-bop song. Very ‘Duran Duran’ in places … with but with their customary slice of acetic growl and snarl.
Last year the band made the list of MTV Brand New acts of the year.
They are about to release their debut EP ‘Get In! Get Out! Don’t Look Back!’ We had an early listen:
Blasting off with ‘The Trick Is to Keep Breathing’ this EP starts life running and panting … and immediately we recognize that the voice of Jamie Giarraputo is fraught with anxiety. “ We keep running / Running out of time.” Time and tide is against us. How will we slow things down ? This song is a word of warning to those wasting their precious minutes. And it also illuminates the feeling we get when time goes so fast – dashing along – in a relationship. The persistently efflorescent guitars and the flourishing drums all add to the dash and verve of this stunning piece.
‘Evens’ starts with the lyric “I can’t believe it … we keep rolling evens.” We all recognize this experience. Sometimes we are outrageously fortunate/unfortunate. The beat is juicy and full of feeling. The vocals are reminiscent of ‘The Cure’. The voice sometimes seems as wearily smeared as last night’s mascara. The chorus keeps us firmly believing that there is better to come.
‘Terra Firma’ has a wafering of layered chords. The guitar-work is particularly brilliant on this track. But the drum-play from Joe Edwards deserves special mention – the villainous ping-ponging from skin to skin is presumptuous and fruity. This song is all about the heady experience of life at high altitude ( perhaps as musician in a band that’s going somewhere – ) and the feeling that you might just collapse from all the strain: “Don’t lose your grip.” This could sentiment could easily apply to a new relationship too!
Final track ‘Lay Waste’ is sparkling and precocious. A bit like ‘The Jam’ in attitude – you can sense the profound emotions lurking behind each punk chop and shout out chorus. This is a nice silvery anthem and is sure to be a big winner at the Brightlight City live events.
– © Neil_Mach October 2013 –
Link:
https://www.facebook.com/thebrightlightcity
LIVE DATES:
Thu 17th Oct New Cross Inn, London
Sat 19th Oct The Wolf’s Door, Islington, London
Fri 1st Nov 229, London
Sat 16th Nov The Soundhouse, Colchester
Fri 22nd Nov The Half Moon, Putney
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