“I’m a lot like a tank, let me show you.“
It has been 18 months or so since Dead Pony made their debut on War Boys, the record that showed that the Glasgow unit have the potential to be a big act that emerges from an infamous city. On the EP, it was evident that this trajectory was promising, yet it would require Dead Pony to refine and add a spark to their sound. And while their debut full-length IGNORE THIS is certainly a bold mission statement if anything, the more than solid record has a few bumps along the way that don’t see Dead Pony just quite yet reach their peak.
Slim Shady-esque opener “the antagonist is ignorance” introduces IGNORE THIS an unexpected manner, perking the ears up at what Dead Pony may have on offer here, before the the synths ring the record awake on the opening moments on “IGNORE THIS“. Anna Shields‘ vocals has a commanding presence and her melodies make for absolute earworms when it comes to the chorus. The track holds an unmistakable, triumphant air that would see it well fit in a FIFA soundtrack from the late 00s. “MK Nothing” offers up some further catchy moments, even if the narrative at hand around MK Ultra isn’t particularly inspiring.
Tough riffs on “AWOL” pick IGNORE THIS back into a solid rhythm, once again capturing the attitude that was present on “IGNORE THIS“. But it is here perhaps here that issues with the vocals being too loud in the mix do begin to become apparent, as they take over at the expense of the rest. “COBRA” can sit alongside this in another impactful track that sees Dead Pony pen a much improved sound on their debut. Here, the rudiments of drummer Euan Lyons are difficult not to tap away to.
A more abrasive listen is offered up on “MANA”, with distortion and high end fizz packed in across the records, making for not the easiest listen. In moments where it’s loaded onto the guitar riffs, it grates against the ear more than anything. “I might die.” is where some of the aforementioned mixing issues come further to the forefront, with the instrumentals feeling squashed and the vocals feeling too loud, causing certain moments to simply not hit as they should.
The latter stages of IGNORE THIS sees Dead Pony hit somewhat of a holding pattern, with tracks “RAINBOWS“, “Bad Girlfriend” and “X-Rated” feeling rather passable in their manner, missing the energy that early tracks such as “IGNORE THIS” and “COBRA” had in abundance. The racing moments do return on “White Rabbit” and on the closer that isn’t a closer “Face On The Wall“: “hit hard, it’s part of the plan, sit back when shit hits the fan” delivering a final vocal hook to remember from IGNORE THIS.
Closing on the bizarre “Motor City Mad Man“, channelling the Motor City rock stylings it references – it feels out of place on the record. It does perhaps display what Dead Pony do lack on IGNORE THIS, which is a sense of refinement. While the talent and ability is evidently there, a production and mix that doesn’t compliment the sound Dead Pony are going is a shame. When it comes to the coveted 00s-esque revival sound, many in other genres are thriving, such as Balmora and Cauldron, so it’s a shame to miss the mark here. There’s an approach that Dead Pony evidently do well on some songs, such as the title track, “About Love” and “AWOL“. If focused on, this would see them piece together a more than punchy and irresistible record. For now, IGNORE THIS sees Dead Pony put together some of their best material, yet the heights they have the potential to reach are still yet to be realised.
6/10
IGNORE THIS will release April 5th via LAB records, and can be pre-ordered here.