‘There’s a fire down below and a hunger in my soul.’
Wales is well-known for producing talented musicians and bands, hailing from the Southern Valleys are relative newcomers, Zac and The New Men. Reinvent Me is their debut album, its release follows singles “Embers” and “That’s Ok“, which feature on the record. The album is suitably titled as this record marks a move away from the band’s usual upbeat and energetic style, as they move in a more contemplative direction with personal and introspective lyrics.
“Say It” gets things underway with a chunky guitar riff and crashing cymbals before moving into a slick bass groove, reminiscent of Trash Boat’s “Don’t You Feel Amazing“. With Zac Davies’s vocals moving from mid-range into falsetto through the reprise effortlessly, there is brilliant depth and gradient within this opening track and certainly whets the appetite for “Deeper“. Again, it’s upfront with a massive riff and a great syncopation from drummer Will Newman, who adds clever little fills left right and centre, creating another level of intrigue throughout this album. “Atom Bomb” is stripped back by comparison but with a direct and simple chorus ‘I told you once, told you twice, told you stop coming back” this will definitely be an easy crowd pleaser. The bass lines produced by James Dye are driving and relentless, for someone who struggles to enjoy music where removal of the bass would be unnoticeable, I am absolutely delighted to hear it utilised so skilfully and unashamedly.
“Reinvent Me” stirs from the first moment, with soaring vocals and tribal-esque bass kicks during the intro, before hitting full force with a beautifully distorted guitar riff leading into the chorus, before again receding to allow the vocals to take precedent. With lyrics such as ‘there’s no one who can fix me if I don’t wanna fix myself’ it is only correct that they are given space to shine thusly. A change in tempo begins with “Watching The World Go By” which is heavily percussion led. The guitars and vocals create ebb and flow throughout the track with crescendo building in every corner, before culminating in a stunning guitar solo from Oli Poole which will stir everyone, it certainly makes you sit up and pay attention. It leads into “Embers“, beginning with solo vocals before delivering an atmospheric soundscape which performed live I’m sure would have everyone lighting up their phones. It is truly a sincere moment and lyrically potent ‘there’s a fire down below and a hunger in my soul, I’m searching for something that will make me feel whole’.
With the opening chorus of ‘I see you darling in the rain, trust me I can see your pain’, “That’s Ok” is every bit as bittersweet to listen to as you would expect it to be. The desperation is palpable and underpinned by a bluesy low guitar, it’s a sonic treat for all. This alongside soaring vocal harmonies in the latter section truly show what the quartet are capable of. “Social Blur” is an unexpected follow up, it’s direct and unapologetic. Touching on the very relevant obsession of social media among younger generations, it’s only fitting that it is as upfront as it is ‘My Generation’s full of lies, like fake happiness in people’s lives’. Trademark riffs on both strings and drums are split by an impressive break with yet another gut punching guitar solo from Poole, he is truly a talent in his own right throughout this collection.
“Birdcage” succeeds Social Blur perfectly. Similarly, it’s punchy, upfront and heavier than the other tracks on this record with a pumping bass that I’m sure live you would feel reverberating in your chest. The Lesson brings us to the close and harks back to opening track Say It with chunky and heavily distorted riffs acting as a ‘call and response’ to Davies’s vocals. Alongside sit some phenomenal drum fills in the quieter mid-section, cementing each members ability to stand alone in their own right musically.
There is so much to enjoy and unpick here among colossal riffs, thundering drums; which litter fills and riffs throughout every track, adding texture and intrigue, pounding bass lines bringing everything together and exquisite vocals to put the cherry on top. You could truly listen to this over and over and likely never get bored as there are so many layers to pull focus and each equally deserving of it. For a self-produced album, it is truly remarkable and for fans of Nothing But Thieves and Royal Blood I highly recommend giving this a listen as the influence is clear and comparisons could definitely be drawn vocally with Conor Mason. It’s a record that deserves recognition and exposure and you should definitely add Zac and The New Men to your list of ‘one’s to watch’.
8/10
Zac and The New Men is out this Friday via self-release.