Creating a rousing proposal with their new EP Where I Belong, UK quartet Elasea quickly show themselves to be a band with all the attributes to become a potently impacting proposition on the British rock scene, now and far more so ahead. The attention grabbing encounter brings five compelling tracks of inventive and impassioned alternative rock for ears and imagination to feast upon. The fact that you can still hear areas where the band is only just discovering depths and unique invention, whilst impressing throughout, it only increases anticipation that the potential shown here has all the possibilities of leading to major things for the band.
Hailing from Hungerford in Berkshire, Elasea initially emerged as a cover band and under the name Highly Personal. The band’s first EP was released in 2013 after which a subsequent line-up change and last year the switch to new moniker Elasea occurred. With that change in the band came a shift in sound too and a reputation earning live presence which has seen the band play with the likes of WeCaughtTheCastle, Funeral For A Friend, and Idiom over time. Now the foursome is primed to nudge upon national awareness with Where I Belong; vocalist/rhythm guitarist Andy Bradford, lead guitarist Calum Radmore, bassist Olivia Jones, and drummer Jevon Smith, who recently announced his departure from the band, following up a clutch of successful videos with a roar of a tempting.
The EP opens up with Glass Heart, rhythms and heavy resonating riffs instantly engulfing ears as the just as swift magnetic tones of Bradford uncage the song’s evocative narrative. The thumping beats of Smith shudder on impact, alongside the bass snarl tempering the more fiery exploits of guitar and captivating vocals from Bradford and across the band. Drama constantly stalks the song, hooks and riffs frequently twisting into imaginative incitement before re-igniting the initial and potent creative persuasion brewing the song.
It is a superb start backed just as strongly by the EP’s contagious title track. Immediately it has a breezier energy and flirtation to its pop fuelled rock ‘n’ roll, all the attributes of its predecessor returning to great but lighter and catchier effect. With a touch of bands like Mallory Knox and Lower Than Atlantis to it, the track arguably feeds expectations a touch but such its punkish ferocity and virulent adventure, it barely matters as ears again are fed a healthy temptation.
Lost In The Dark which features Simon Jackman steps up next, cradling ears in a melodic caress straight away before expanding into a reflective croon of sonic enterprise and again tenaciously delivered rhythms. The song constantly expands its body of sound and imagination throughout, though for personal tastes it is missing the particular spark of its predecessors. It is fair to say that it revels in accomplished songwriting and thoughtful invention nevertheless to provide a thickly enjoyable proposal with the mellow twist with great backing harmonies from Jones and an atmospheric weaving from Radmore’s guitar especially riveting deep into the song.
A harsher growl is offered by Time Is Against Us, vocally and musically the song feeding off an aggressive nature to create a mix of rich contrasts and intensive emotions. The bass of Jones is almost bestial in tone at times whilst Smith creates a tsunami like rumble across the ever shifting landscape of the enthralling proposition. Increasingly impressing and growing in strength with every listen, the song sets up the EP’s finale masterfully, its heavyweight presence the gripping shadow to the acoustically lit On The Line. The closing song is sultry radiance but with an earthy texture cast through the persistently impressive voice of Bradford. Alongside him guest vocalist Alex Gale of the band Paper Houses, which Bradford also plays in, lays down absorbing melodic beauty, the two shades of their voices an alluring union which only ignites further when entwining as the song erupts into a flaming crescendo of sound and energy.
The song is an engrossing end to a thoroughly enjoyable introduction to Elasea. This is a band at the start of its ascent and yet to find it’s truly original presence and voice. In saying that Where I Belong shows they already have the invention and craft to command attention, and songs which leave an appetite for more the lasting reaction.
The Where I Belong EP is available from 3rd August 2015
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RingMaster 02/08/2015
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