Menace Beach – Ratworld
3/5
Hailing from Leeds, England, Menace Beach have unleashed their melodic lo-fi buzz rock into the music world with their latest release Ratworld. Composed of Ryan Needham and Liza Violet, the band also features occasional collaborators Nester Matthews of Sky Larkin, Robert Lee of Pulled Apart by Horses, Matt Spalding and MJ Johnson from the Hookworms. The result: breezy, fun indie rock.
“Come On Give Up“ opens the album with the rough, distorted vocals of Needham against the catchy hooks of a like-wise distorted guitar riff. The upbeat flavour of the album never loses its touch, sweeping seamlessly into “Elastic”. Dance-rock track “Drop Outs” continues the vibrant theme of the album, with loud and fuzzy guitar riffs and melodic hooks.
“Lowtalkin’“ brings garage-punk influences on to the record for a short but energetic song with a huge finish. Alternatively, “Blue Eye“ slows the album down, but for what it lacks in energy is made up for in sonic disruption, making sure to hold on to the noise-filled style.
Tracks such as “Tennis Court“, “Tastes like Medicine“ and the title track “Ratworld” are slow at the start, but lead into B-side worthy hooks.
“Infinite Donut” brings back the original hook-based lo-fi rock that the album started with, just before finishing off Ratworld with the grungy, pastel-coloured track “Fortune Teller“.
Listen to the full album via Hypemachine and experience the tidal wave that is Menace Beach.
0 thoughts on “Menace Beach – Ratworld”