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Unknown - The Year of the Horse EP Review

11 Sep 2014 // A review by Joel C Blood

I was impressed with the work that Whistlejacket management have gone to in producing a very stylistic press package. It's not often I get any info on the reviewed band but these guys had a full press kit which used strong alternate imaginary to represent the band. Nice work.

Whistlejacket threw around a few genre classifications for their tunes, but in a nutshell this is straight electropop. The songs are well constructed and this will fit somewhere between George and ZM formats. With the bands impressive resume they will be sure to get some profiling. 

The four tune EP features one remix. The songs are relatively diverse in texture for a pop record. Some of the drum programming I found to be less than liquid and a little jarring at times, but I am sure their demographic will be none the wiser. 

This is a great start for a new band and they have done a great job producing a complete package so early on in their career. I think that the most interesting thing about these guys is where they will be in a couple of albums time. They clearly have solid production and song writing skills but I feel that they have written for a demographic instead of experimenting with something fresh and from their electronica beating hearts. Be nice to hear something that they haven't written specifically for a youth radio market cause that's where I think their true talents will come out. 

Saying all this, it's a great little pop EP with heaps of potential. It's got some nice vocal hooks and the arrangements are well constructed. If you are into The Naked and Famous, and really anything else ZM are playing at the moment you will get ya groove onto this little number. 

My soundbite for The Year of the Horse is "A catchy electronica driven pop EP that has some tasteful and well orchestrated radio friendly hooks". Keep the tunes rolling guys, I look forward to hearing what you bring to the table in the future. 

 

Other Reviews By Joel C Blood

Macombee and the Absolute Truth - No Man's Land Album Review
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When I received this record I had no idea what to expect. The press information describes the sound as a cathartic experience founded on cinematic arrangements wrapped around the lead singer, Sarah Macombee's, exquisite voice, so it all sounded fairly self indulgent.
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SSXUB EP Review - Shapeshifter vs The Upbeats
03 Oct 2014 // by Joel C Blood
This 5 track EP has been probably my most highly anticipated NZ release this year and it doesn't disappoint. This is everything that you would expect from this collaboration, the soulful wailing of P-Digsss and melodic lusciousness of Shapeshifter mashed together with the unforgiving, beat driven groove of The Upbeats.
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Tali - Faster Than Sound Single Review
03 Oct 2014 // by Joel C Blood
The second tune from Tali's forthcoming record Wolves is a huge departure from the UK drum n bass that made her a worldwide name. Faster Than Sound is a self declared love song and is closer to trip hop than Tali's traditional "Boobs to the Wall" DnB; which is a great departure in my eyes.
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Moana And The Tribe - Rima Album Review
02 Oct 2014 // by Joel C Blood
According to the albums publicists, this is Moana and the Tribe's 5th Studio album, and it wasn't what I was expecting. This was primarily a good thing as I like surprises but it did catch me a little off guard.
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Oakley Grenell - The Deep Album Review
19 Sep 2014 // by Joel C Blood
Listening to this record for the first time was a breath of fresh air. With so many Kiwi hip hop artists and beat makers writing the same old wannabe American Gangster drivel, it was inspiring to hear a guy construct something uplifting, tasteful and sonically dynamic.
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Electric Wire Hustle - Love Can Prevail Album Review
19 Sep 2014 // by Joel C Blood
Electric Wire Hustle do it again with another outstanding record. The dynamic duo strikes back with a fusion of classic soul mixed with slick glitching, well textured futuristic beats.
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Phil Rudd - Head Job Album Review
05 Sep 2014 // by Joel C Blood
There are two ways to write this review. One way is looking at the record from Phil's vast and impressive career as the worlds most acclaimed 4/4 drummer, while being wowed by his self indulgent lifestyle.
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Kerretta - Pirohia Album Review
04 Sep 2014 // by Joel C Blood
I am going to do away with the Isis and Mogwai comparisons. Let's focus on how fucking good this record is.
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