29 Mar 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

PlasticGroove - Single Review: Me and You

16 Aug 2018 // A review by butch181

Me and You by Wellington's PlasticGroove is a track that you need to be prepared for. Being unprepared will lead to a shock that will have your heart rate elevated for a reasonable length of time to come. The track starts with some high intensity, unrelenting, undulating synths. The tone used does come off as rather abrasive the first time around and creates a slight sense of unease, but as the track progresses you realise it would actually come down to the mix used for the track; more than just a little uneven, the synths have been made the focal point of the track, overpowering the guitars and vocals.

Like a bar of soap made by combining the scraps of other soap bars, Me and You actually feels like a Frankenstein’s Monster of riffs; switching from an 80’s Bowie influenced track to something closer to The Smiths, before returning to the high intensity synths and having a rapid build with distortion that disappears (there is almost an electronic Norwegian Viking metal feel at the 1:10 mark).

Each element certainly has positive aspects, but they fail to properly fit together. Reducing the presence of the synths in the mix will certainly create a better balance in future tracks, as will reducing the number of riff changes; especially with a track length of 2:50.

Overall, if you ignore the overbearing synths, and unusual Viking metal addendum, Me and You has a reasonably solid foundation, and could really be split into three separate songs. It as an upbeat pace and a positive vibe, that still gets the head moving to the rhythm. The vocal element is also enjoyable; nothing too out of the ordinary, but a clear ability to hit and hold a note, as well as producing some lovely harmonies in the chorus. Almost coming off like an 80’s adaptation of Marilyn Manson in the beginning, there is a clear attempt from PlasticGroove to create something different; to not follow the usual rules. Kudos to them for not being afraid to experiment.


Review written by Alex Moulton

 

About PlasticGroove

PlasticGroove are a retro futurist Kiwi band from Wellington, New Zealand. A multi instrumentalist attack combines 80's new wave and modern rock influences into a toe tapping, head banging, butt shaking frenzy.




Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for PlasticGroove

Releases

Feel
Year: 2016
Type: EP

Other Reviews By butch181

Lola Sola - Single Review: Tripping
04 Dec 2019 // by butch181
This latest single from Lola Sola, Tripping, is pure simplicity; simple enough to allow nothing to draw your attention away from the vocals. With very little instrumentation beyond a guitar (which doubles as the tracks percussive element), there is nothing complicated about it, and it creates a slow and weary ambience.
Read More...
Rubine - Album Review: Secret Danger
04 Nov 2019 // by butch181
Rubine hail from North Island’s Hamilton and Tauranga, which is ideal placement, as some New Zealand’s best classic rock sounds tend to originate from the Waikato/Bay of Plenty regions. The five-piece consist of Tana Tapri on lead vocals, Afzer Zameer on the drums, Dennis Ben on guitar, and Keith McGlade and Stefan Doll on the bass and guitar respectively, as well backing vocals.
Read More...
Gig Review: Sevendust w/ City of Souls @ Powerstation, Auckland - 23/04/2019
24 Apr 2019 // by butch181
A decidedly reserved Tuesday night in Auckland and people were quietly piling into the Powerstation and grabbing some drinks at the bar. The upper balcony area was closed, so the fans were amassing downstairs around the inner perimeter of the venue.
Read More...
Sonic Altar - Album Review: Under A Dying Sun
27 Mar 2019 // by butch181
In this digital age, it’s not often that you get a full length record anymore. Everything is short and sweet just to get content out there before fans forget your band even exists.
Read More...
Levi Lights On Project - Single Review: Mirror Man
17 Mar 2019 // by butch181
Levi is a musical amalgamation that would in most cases be categorised as folk, thanks to the groups' uncommon mix of instruments consisting of a saxophone, cello, and cajón, and a lack of a drum kit or electric instruments. That being said, Mirror Man has something unique.
Read More...
The Gemini Effect - Single Review: Little Mouse
17 Mar 2019 // by butch181
Little Mouse is the first single from Bad Alien, the upcoming sophomore album of three-piece alt-rock act The Gemini Effect. With some nice consistent snare work, the track jumps right off the bat with a great organic sense of rhythm that has you bobbing your head and tapping your foot along with the beat, accentuated by some gritty power chords.
Read More...
Mermaidens - Single Review: You Maintain The Stain
17 Mar 2019 // by butch181
The latest release from Wellington trio Mermaidens is a straight up middle finger to the powers that control the world and throws away the mainstream formula of verse/chorus patterns, instead, forming a self-righteous maelstrom of sonic environments.  With no warning given, You Maintain The Stain gets straight into cold, apathetic vocals alongside a pluggy bassline, until the guitar jumps in with an uncomfortable level of discord that sows the seeds of uneasiness in the pit of your stomach as if every instrument is performing a different song.
Read More...
Paper Cranes - Album Review: Voices
19 Dec 2018 // by butch181
Due for release January 18, 2019, Voices is the second full-length album from Indie Folk duo Paper Cranes. While comprised of ten tracks, the album has a short overall runtime of just over 35 minutes.
Read More...
View All Articles By butch181

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TEXAS HOLD 'EM
    Beyonce
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • PRAISE JAH IN THE MOONLIGHT
    YG Marley
  • CARNIVAL
    Kanye West And Ty Dolla $ign
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • LOVIN ON ME
    Jack Harlow
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem