Phoxjaw could have been described as a little ‘out there’ already. Known for their divergent and rule-breaking music, the titles of their first two EP’s, the debut, ‘Goodbye Dinosaur’ and the wonderfully named ‘A Playground For Sad Adults’ enhance the impression that what we are about to hear may not be your typical middle of the road album. Oh, and I can imagine myself in that playground… With ‘Royal Swan’, their first full length contribution having been recorded in a wee stone box called ‘Devil’s Bridge Cottage’ in Wales, the fourpiece of Danny Garland (vocals/bass), Josh Gallop (guitars/keyboard), Kieran Gallop (drums) and Alexander Share (guitar/vocals) are unlikely to have tamed their unusual ways.
Instrumental opener ‘Charging Pale Horses’ fades slowly in, its vocal harmonies providing an atmospheric start that you may mistake for a setting of scene. Yet, while ‘Trophies In The Attic’ is melodic at first, it soon brings the noise; distorted noise awash with disjointed guitars, screeching lyrics and electronics. Both calm and frenetic, it’s a song that follows no blueprint. Meanwhile, second single ‘Triple AAA’ has a commercial feel, but not entirely. It’s an indie track with a heavy lead-in and a fervency that’s too cool for radio. Yes, the lyrics will stick in your head but this has so many more dimensions than that. Phoxjaw say it themselves “…let’s create new traditions, You cannot tie us down”.
It gets properly crazy with the third single ‘You Don’t Drink A Unicorn’s Blood’ which is accompanied by a pagan themed, tongue in cheek video. Although there is a melancholic sound the lyrics are hilarious; “You chat out your well-groomed mouth, dentist!” is one example. Despite the unhinged nature, it’s a cracking song. Recently released ‘Half House’ is an ironically placed, cabin-fever fuelled ditty about I assume the madness arising from being locked up in the studio. Languid vocals from Danny Garland hold it all together. A song about always being the bad one in someone’s eyes, ‘Infinite Badness’ returns to the morose. It’s a steady rhythmic number with contribution from William Blair (Apple Mosaic) on the keys towards the end.
At the core of the album ‘Teething’ struggles to impress with something inexplicable missing from the vocals and rhythm pattern. It just doesn’t have the draw. However, the breakdown is interesting with a keyboard solo fighting alongside the guitars and some full on drumwork from Kieran Gallop. The next few songs are of similar ilk. ‘An Owl Is A Cat With Wings’ reminds me of The Strokes, but not quite as chart-worthy. That might be a good thing as the now familiar dark aside appears, typifying how this band likes to change things up. ‘Bats For Bleeding’ is a theatrical swaggering and eminently creative offering. With extensive input from Blair, it is an epic display of Phoxjaw’s musical range.
Winding up the album is ‘The Monk’ with it’s thrashed out intro getting up in your face. It almost disappoints as it turns back and forth between indie and hard rock. You want Phoxjaw to let loose and go for it but they keep bringing it back, although they finally dip their toes in metal, they quickly blend it down to an electronic outro. Stop teasing us, fuckers! Then we arrive disoriented at the finale ‘Royal Swan’, which at over seven minutes long is an extravagant, evolving run through the feels and reverberations of this ground-breaking album.
Phoxjaw are certainly progressive. It is impossible to label them or place them in time. If you like Bowie, The Strokes, stoner rock or hardcore metal there’s something here for you, but there is absolutely nothing formulaic. To listen to Phoxjaw is to go with the flow and allow them to lead you on their journey outside the box. It’s a strange world out there but well worth seeing. There are points in the album that are not as strong as others but I suspect that with time you would grow to embrace them as you do the chaos. That is after all, the way forward. Place one foot in the yin and one in the yang and you have balance. In ‘Royal Swan’ Phoxjaw provides the essential yang to your comfortable, reliable ying… and it’s exciting.
- ‘Royal Swan’ is released tomorrow (Friday 3 July). You can get your copy HERE.
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