Belper-based alternative rock band Paytron Saint first hit my radar at the end of last year thanks to their single releases Possibly Honest and Mirror. Now they have a new six track EP out and it’s called Under Scary Houses.

By Graeme Smith

Paytron Saint have been going since 2017 and their new EP shows a development of their sound, and a departure from their early work. The EP takes on themes of family, self-belief, parenthood and relationships, exhibiting a maturity in their sound. It opens with Blessed Be the Weight. A brooding rock number it opens ecclesiastically before finding a dark groove. Lilting vocals come in, delivering a poetic lyrical story. It’s a strong start.

Let It Drain ups the tempo with jangly grunge rock before One Broken World Interlude provides an experimental moment, featuring a cacophony of snatched German voices. Tommelise is a driving, bass-heavy number reminiscent of early Brand New. The chorus is an explosive highlight.

Don’t Want to Know If You Are Lonely is a cover of Hüsker Dü, one of the band’s main inspirations. It’s a racy alternative rock anthem that pays proper tribute to the original. Beautiful Repair then rounds off the EP with simmering psychedelic grunge comparable to Queens of the Stone Age’s quieter tracks. It builds nicely to a memorable crescendo.

For those coming to Paytron Saint’s music for the first time, Under Scary Houses provides a fantastic introduction. Those who have been following the band for awhile will enjoy how their sound has developed, and how they have paid tribute to their influences. Under Scary Houses is an accomplishment, and I feel there’s a lot more to come from the guys.

Paytron Saint are Nick Glyn-Davies on guitar and vocals, Dean Lloyd on bass and Dan Brigstock on drums. Under Scary Houses was recorded, produced and engineered by the trio in their studio ‘The Chicken Coop’. You can give it a listen below.