“What’s falling out your mouth is nothing more than just confusing.“
Glasgow, Scotland has become fruitful ground over the years for promising acts who have reached their potential, with acts such as Bleed From Within, CHVRCHES and Vukovi emerging to name a few. Now looking to add their name to list is Dead Pony, with the first step in that direction being debut EP, War Boys. Aiming to be an record that encompasses anger and control, while dipping its toes into forceful riffs and electronic elements, it is possibly a statement of what is set to be a noteworthy future.
There is an attitude emerging from punk and grunge influences that gives War Boys its punch and mission statement. It doesn’t waste time in introducing itself, with blaring air-raid sirens on opener “Bullet Farm” providing a warning of the bombardment to come. While the effects on the vocals here give it a slight detachment from the opener with their pitch, the rudiments on the drums with the skillful riffs grab your attention masterfully. “Zero” further dives into the controlled chaos, with what came before only being improved on. Each component of the sonic makeup of the track work in conjunction here, with its breakdown and frenzy becoming encompassing.
With Dead Pony finding their stride, what follows continues in a strong manner. “I Don’t Mind” trades the madness out for some catchy vocal and guitar hooks that will no doubt infect listeners. “All Dressed Up For Nothing” offers up a contemplative tone, seeing vocalist Anna Shields take the lead, showing off an impressive vocal range. With the brief respite allow the record to maintain its stamina, it’s a full sprint ahead heading into War Boys‘ closing stretch.
The attitude and amplitude offered up in the opening moments returns with closing tracks “War Boys” and “23, Never Me“. The percussive nature of the title track, accompanied with some bombastic hooks allow for some perfect moments to have a shimmy to. It’s one where the drumming performance truly holds the track together, with its skillful brutality whilst maintaining some tasty grooves on the chorus. All this comes to a crescendo in War Boys‘ closing track. with its pulsating bass line and racing vocals, it’s the track that leans most into its 00s influences and mannerisms but adds its own posture to it.
There is an impactful nature to War Boys that ensures Dead Pony will not be one to be quickly forgotten. It’s a record that is quick out of the gates that recovers on its rough start to deliver an performance that sees the Glasgow unit become a solid prospect for the future. With what comes next needing to show the ability to stick out the long run and exploring its own identity, if these are achieved then Dead Pony will certainly become one to bet on as Glasgow’s next emerging act.
7.5/10
War Boys is out this Friday via LAB, and can be pre-ordered here.