Livonia – Hate. Relate. Regenerate

By RingMaster Review on May 17, 2020 • ( 0 )

In some ways we have been looking for a fresh breath within the pop punk arena, something which truly stands out as fresh and exciting and UK outfit Livonia going by their debut EP could just be that inspiration. Their introduction is a contagion of gripping riffs and manipulative hooks backed by impassioned attitude and a hungry energy which just refused to be ignored.

Hailing out of London/Milton Keynes, Livonia consists of James Bates, Robert Cone, Mark Craig, Tom Matthews, and Chris Walters. Details on them are scarce but it seems like the quintet emerged around a year ago and as in evidence within their debut have honed their sound into a rousingly potent proposal.

The three full tracks within Hate. Relate. Regenerate relate to its title though the release opens up with Ready When You Are, a rousing introduction to the EP which deserves to be expanded into its own authoritative riff bred encounter. Even so it makes for a rousing lead into the following Snake Song; a song themed by betrayal instantly springing a gripping riff upon ears, one swiftly backed up by just as magnetic rhythms and the vocal prowess of Bates. There is a swing to the track which immediately dived under the skin, a virulence replicated in the vocals and the anthemic roar of the track’s chorus. Hooks are just as lively and creatively animated too, every element together creating a proposal with the contagion of a Billy Talent and roar akin to that of The Story So Far.

Next up, Blame Away similarly leaps into its tenacious stride straightaway, rhythms and riffs uniting in another infectious trespass driven by mightily swung beats. Again that inherent infectiousness fuels vocals and sound, melodically woven hooks as boisterous and ear grabbing as the song’s muscular tendencies. A track lyrically following from its predecessor in many ways, looking at trust and the loss of, it similarly needed little time to get under the skin and get the body and spirit bouncing.

As impressive and striking as both songs are, they are only eclipsed by EP closing Talking. Offering hope and support, encouraging emotional sharing, the track rises up on a sonic whirl before uncaging its riff and hook woven tapestry of temptation. There is a growl to Bates’ tones which is assimilated in the snarl of guitars and punch of rhythms; a roar that only breeds the most gloriously raucous and arousing chorus which dares you not to join in on, a challenge lost by us each and every time.

It is a mighty and thrilling end to a striking and richly enjoyable first encounter with Livonia, a band we are already suggesting and anticipating great things from ahead.

Hate. Relate. Regenerate is out now; streaming @ https://spoti.fi/34kBw