Written by Tom Bedding
Classic rock elements beckon on the opener, ‘Let Me In’, which combines some impressive features of U.K. metal and legendary acts like Led Zeppelin. The pulse of the song comes from the drumming, which allows Josh Weston on lead guitar to really show off his impressive and rich sounding guitar chops. If anyone has followed The Timeouts since their inception, you would know they first took a stab at a more indie sound originally and yes if you are new to them, who would have thought. Nevertheless, there are little nuances within their songwriting, containing nods to Alex Turner, that can be found in small doses like the melody in the bridge during this solid opener.
Jack White tones can be heard on the bold riff on ‘Gorilla Cage’, a song we heard prior to the release of the EP. Kai Doyle shows enough that he can stand up with the new heavier sound of The Timeouts, giving us a belting and infectious vocal display over the crashing drumming and the wacky/heavy guitar playing on the song. What ensures that the Nottingham band has a strong chance with standing out in the more heavier side of U.K. rock, is their natural inclination to write a decent melody and wanting to offer more musically than just thrashing away for a few minutes, on each song.
Then, ‘Bury The Hatchet’ gives the bands debut EP some interesting character to it, especially with the space for the bass playing to have some time in the sun during the verses. When we hit the chorus, the band offer a good melody that is easily one to be chanted to and the way it is used effectively at the end of the song, ensures that the track sticks with you after the EP finishes. Again, the way the songwriting works in the bridge does feel early Arctic Monkeys like, which is great to hear and interesting due to the more metal sounds we hear from the outfit now.
The Timeouts turn up the heat on the next track called ‘The Hand That Feeds’, with having verses that touch on sounds that takes you truly by surprise. It is great to see the Nottingham band really go for their new love of their new sound and being so unashamed to go full throttle; it will be fascinating to see how they develop on it and where they take it.
‘Hallie’ then takes your hand gently, taking ‘The Sleep That Knows No Waking’ into a more tranquil and acoustic place. Again, the guitar work by Weston is highly impressive and he is such an important role in taking this band to heights they aspire to reach. This instrumental is incredibly sweet sounding, acting like a still photo montage of blissful and magical moments with someone you love and giving the name of, ‘Hallie’ , such a warming and beautiful personality. Overall, this song does really touch you with its vunrable nature and highly outstanding playing, which is full of such grace and love.
Make sure to get that tissue box out of the way after the cute interval on this EP, as The Timeouts return to their loud sound straight away on ‘Adrenaline’. The song contains a great hook to it and the bands sound here is at its most impressive on the entire EP, it just feels so much fuller and together on this song. If you question whether this outfit can sustain such a bolder sound, then make sure to give this one a try as it really shows off how The Timeouts have plenty in their locker, to keep going with their heaver ambitions.
‘The Sleep That Knows No Waking’ concludes with a ‘Humbug’ like opening with the bass line, teasing us before the band go for it one last time on the EP. The riff is great in all truth, offering some catchiness and grit that makes this finale such an enjoyable listen. Who knows where The Timeouts will end up but for now, they are deservedly raising eyebrows with their debut EP and really going hard into making sure they can sit somewhere in indie music that is both engaging and not cliche.
Bring Me The Music Recommended Tracks: Hallie and Adrenaline
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