By Jim Rowland
North London alt-rockers Red Light Acid Test have been steadily building momentum since forming in 2019, gigging solidly and releasing six singles to date, some of which have been championed on these very pages, and gained valuable radio exposure. Now it’s time to crank things up a notch with the release of their debut album ‘Frayed’.
‘Frayed’, the title of which relates to both the album’s original painting artwork and the generally dark lyrical themes, was produced by the Mercury Prize nominated producer Ian Davenport, who has worked with the likes of Gaz Coombes, Slowdive, Band of Skulls, Badly Drawn Boy and The Vintage Caravan. He’s done a great job here too – the album has a huge sound.
‘Frayed’ sits firmly in the alternative rock bracket, characterised by shifts between subtle gentility and heavy intensity, rhythms that can both stagger and groove, and guitar work that can be heavy, intricate and unnerving at times whilst boasting catchy hooks galore. This all underpins a rich and dark vocal delivery that is strong on melody.
‘Little Death’, which opens the album, is particularly strong, combining heavy, dark and twisted guitar with a grooving rhythm with a great melodic vocal and catchy chorus, with the likes of ‘Skin on Skin’ and ‘Relapse’ following similar lines.
The frantic post-punk edge of ‘Patience’ and ‘Exchange’ and the pummelling heaviness of ‘Senseless’ work well as a contrast with the album’s more subtle moments like the atmospheric and dark title track and the downbeat and abrasive ‘Sharp Edge’.
‘I Get The Feeling’ closes the album in epic fashion, building from gentle acoustics to a full-on swirling rock attack, perhaps hinting at the influence of Smashing Pumpkins, which does emerge at points throughout the album for me.
‘Frayed’ is an assured, inventive and accomplished debut album which really should grab some attention. It was released yesterday (Thursday 29 October).
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