15 Jun 2022 // A review by bensargent00

Floating in a sea of offset guitars and Fender reverbs, SKRAM manage to swim not sink with their debut album Walk Into The Sun. This Wellington 4-piece's 12-track album is drenched in cerveza-popping Summer vibes and pop-rock madness. SKRAM have brought upbeat energy and charismatic overtones to every track.

Starting us off is Love Don't Keep Me Waiting. A somewhat sombre start to the album, the track delivers blossoming tones, and precise vocal work by Henry Ashby. A melancholic crescendo-style piece that provides a definite taste of what's to come. 

Next up is Bring It All Back featuring Taks Southon on guest vocals. This soul number shows great restraint. As a massive Sam Cooke fan this track sits perfectly with its use of call-and-return vocal work, chimney guitars, and grooving bass line. And that snare sound! Each member shines in this track, a very well composed and produced title, Bring It All Back is one of the most polished modern day soul releases I've heard in a while.

The title track Walk Into The Sun follows. A nostalgic indie track which uses emotive lyrically imagery, oceanic reverb and cascading drums. The use of the acapella section after the bridge followed up by harmonious vocals shows a complete awareness of song writing dynamics. Walk Into The Sun is a worthy title track.

The 4th track on the album Please Give Me Some Peace is a seriously catchy, funky number. If the vocal hook somehow doesn't get stuck in your head, that bass line definitely will. A positively poppy tune Please Give Me Some Peace will having you humming its infectious melody for days on end.

Honeybee brings the heat. A generationally eclectic rock track with 60's born riffs, transitions straight from the 70's, and 80's vocal melodies. This high pace track covers some serious ground. Oh, you wanted a punk break too? SKRAM has you covered.

The next track Inside Your Head is a sound true to all Kiwi anthems. This polished, radio-ready track has some serious Kiwi summer nostalgia vibes about it, and a ripping guitar solo! Inside Your Head is one of the highlights of the album.

Piwakawaka is a naturally ambient interlude, a welcomed break for you to catch your breath between the waves. Whilst some delicate percussion wouldn't have gone a miss here, this is a solid delay-driven interlude, nonetheless.

Indie guitar strumming and a descending bass line brings us back with the 8th track Fantail. Delicate guitar work and dancing vocals float effortlessly over a seriously impressive bass line courtesy of Lee Pryor. Early Motown sounds here - think Marvin's Mercy Mercy Me.

Way Out is the next track on the album. So very well composed and deliberate. An inspiring epic with a powerful message, this is an outstanding piece of music. With an ever evolving uplifting dynamic using shimmering keys, rolling drums and immense vocal work - Way Out is massive on every level.

Freaking Me Out follows suit and is reminiscent of earlier tracks, but still does maintain its own identity as a crowd pleaser. Proving further that You won't be able to finish this album without.

The penultimate track Mother Dearest brings a different energy from the rest of the album. A showcase track with a radio-inspired intro, there are some great moments here musically. 

Finishing off the album is Living Our Lives. One of the pre-releases to the album, it's a familiar sounding song that keeps building and highlighting each band member as it tracks. A perfect choice to finish the album with.

This style of music has become that of modern day Kiwiana with catchy hooks, crisp tones and a solid production. With an obvious taste of current Kiwi classics throughout , there are also so many subtleties on every track. How SKRAM manage to navigate the seas of genres whilst maintaining their sound is superb. Walk Into The Sun is a bright light in the scene.

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ ( 5 / 5 )

SKRAM is an exciting new pop group in Aotearoa consisting of Henry Ashby on Lead Vocals and Guitar, Felix Nesbitt on Drums and Lee Pryor on Keys and Bass. These energetic, magnetic boys met teaching music to children together, forming an instant bond and connection over their love for incredible music and being inspired by a dream to take on the Aotearoa music scene. With a combination of emphatic vocals, dynamic rhythms and memorable melodies, SKRAM builds an energetic, crowd-pleasing energy to the stage and their music.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for SKRAM

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