I’m a big fan of rock and roll, but the genre has a tendency to be a little stagnant at times. That’s why I always find it extremely exciting to discover a band a little different from the norm, which Plymouth five-piece Foreign Voices certainly are! They add a more experimental quality to the style with their latest release, Foreign Voices Vol. 2. It only features three songs, but that just leaves you longing for more! As always, check out the full stream at the end of this review if you like what you read here.
By Jane Howkins
The EP starts out with simply titled track I. What’s really noticeable here is how skilled the guitarists are, as the track starts out with a gorgeous arpeggio, alongside some more traditional riffage. The vocals soon arrive, sounding incredibly strong and soulful – they really soar over the guitars, showing a fantastic range. The guitars add an almost proggy vibe to this unique rock and roller, leading into some killer solo work towards the end. The production is a little raw, but the music is still fantastic.
Next up is Vague In Ailing, which is a little more stripped down than the previous track. It’s much more melancholic, as the vocals drift along next to the captivating guitar licks, as a quiet rhythm section plays along in the background. However, on the chorus, the tension and energy are both raised up, creating a really anthemic sound. It’s actually pretty beautiful at times, marking a nice middle point on Foreign Voices Vol. 2.
Last, but by no means least, is Empiric. This song utilises a similar style of guitar playing to the previous two tracks, introducing a new arpeggio style, with a bit of a jazzy tinge. It brings the tempo up after the previous song, rounding this EP out nicely. The guitar work becomes even more impressive towards the end, showing the real power that Foreign Voices have.
Foreign Voices Vol. 2 is a great EP and one that all fans of rock music should check out. It’s great to hear a band from this genre mixing things up a little, and Foreign Voices certainly do that! I can’t wait to hear what they come up with next time!
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