I’m always on the lookout for music that’s a little different from the norm, and Little Tealeif definitely comes into that category. Their EP Charcoal has a dark industrial edge to it, mixing together elements of rock, electronica pop and hip-hop into one amazing package. The appeal is so vast that despite its experimental bent, the music here should still have wide appeal!
By Jane Howkins
There are six songs on Charcoal, with Pedestal People being the first track. It opens with an undeniably catchy guitar melody, as a stomp of a beat emerges alongside it to create a fantastic rhythm. The vocals are quite low, mixing between singing and rapping at different moments – they’re also whispered at times, adding more to the atmosphere of the piece. Little synth melodies and electronic beats are added over the course of the piece, keeping you constantly on your toes. It’s certainly an imaginative piece of music!
Holy Water has a faster beat that wouldn’t be out of place in an indie rock song. Another fabulous guitar melody is added when the low vocals break out, seeping underneath your skin instantly. It’s a catchy song with an eerie feeling to it, as the guitars and synths creep along in the background. Despite this, it’s infectiously catchy and one of my favourite tracks on the entire EP!
Like an Animal takes things down a notch, having a more steady tempo. The piano chords add a really nice tone to the music, alongside the spidery guitar lines. The drums are used in an impressive manner, adding an extra edge of dynamism to the piece every so often. It’s actually quite bluesy at times, working its way into your head in no time.
Pensacola Vibes increases the haunting, eerie vibes, with the beat drawing you in straight away. The main chord sequence used here is actually really beautiful at times – particularly on the chorus. The bass ebbs away in the background, with little guitar motifs breaking off every so often, adding more variety to the track. The songwriting here is really sublime to behold.
Scents is more of an electronic tune, reminding me very much of the sort of music that became popular in the 80s. Differing synth melodies appear, intertwining together, working alongside the bass and guitars to make something with a lot of layers. The synths are the real stand outs here, with the vocals taking more of a backseat to the music.
Capital Letter is the final track, closing things off nicely. It actually sounds more like a typical pop song at first, with the beat getting inside your head straight away. The vocals sway more into rapping on the verses, although some singing can be heard. The xylophone melody is really unique, showing an artist not afraid to try new things.
Little Tealeif is a fantastic new artist and one I’ll definitely be keeping an ear out for in the future! The music on Charcoal keeps you constantly guessing, introducing many different elements on each track as the EP progresses.
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