“The grass is always greener! That’s what you think…”
There’s a particular feeling that one gets when they realise they might just be hearing the next big thing: a vessel of blood so new and meat so fresh that it’s hard to believe it could be anything but huge; Call it a premonition, but I firmly believe that unpeople are said big thing. Debuting from the ashes of former bands Press To MECO and Sarpa Salpa at 2000trees Festival 2023, unpeople instantly proved themselves to be a hidden gem of the scene – if you knew, you knew. However, the exact moment that the band went from ‘Alt Rock’s best kept secret’ to ‘Destined for greatness’ was definitely their surprise signing to SharpTone Records along with the release of their first singles “smother” last November and “waste” this February. With countless eyes watching and waiting, unpeople offer us their first major release as a signed band in the form of a self-titled EP, a release that not only introduces the world to the unpeople sound but prepares it for what comes next.
Opener “waste” sets a boisterous, sarcastic and oh-so-cynical tone as the future anthem preps the listener with but one confirmatory run of it’s hubristic riff before diving headfirst into the unpeople manifesto. Lead vocalist and guitarist Jake Crawford takes to the pedestal for a call to arms, commanding all ears to listen well and heed warnings surrounding the dangers of propaganda, and how we’ll continue to “waste it all away” and “shoot ourselves in the foot” as a result of getting what we were fooled into thinking we wanted. Right out of the gate, the balancing act that unpeople put on in order to balance passionate and delicate subject matter alongside astute songwriting in all departments is not only evident, but impressive to say the least. “waste” is an air-tight package that proves the minds behind unpeople are seasoned veterans of the craft. Between buttery-smooth flow and catchy melodies, it undoubtedly sets a precedent for the rest of the EP.
On the topic of earworms, debut single “smother” has not left my head since I first laid eyes on unpeople back in September of last year whilst they were touring with Conjurer. I would consider this to be unpeople’s quintessential track, as it consistently demonstrates each member of the band at their utmost confidence: guitarists Luke Caley and Jake Crawford weave a rambunctious web of an arrangement, effortlessly exchanging lead and rhythm like a game of tennis, when combined with the strength of Meg Mash’s bass the tone is unmatched. Powerhouse Richard Rayner on drums provides a real sense of attitude to the score and of course Crawford’s vocal prowess is given all the space it needs to completely dominate the room with his intertwined blend of shrill screams and belted serenade. “smother” culminates in an absolutely filthy breakdown that, despite the band having their boots planted in the alt rock bracket, puts a good percentage of “heavier” bands to shame. Crawford defies all expectations with surprise low gutturals that will undoubtedly catch new listeners off guard, All the while Rayner seemingly attempts to shatter his drum kit into the smallest fragments possible with the sheer power of his beat-keeping. Maybe steer clear of the dancefloor when this part comes along.
unpeople are a natural at fully embodying the concepts and emotions they convey through their sound: whether it’s burning societal disdain or political pressure, the struggle of measuring one’s own self worth, or in the case of “overthinking”, the hazardous temptation to over analyse that which has little meaning – there is something about the raw sincerity of unpeople’s delivery that is not only believable, but feels like an outstretched hand of sorts for equally troubled individuals who suffer under the same turmoil. Many artists use their position as role models to instruct you to rise up against your troubles from their ivory towers; unpeople want to make it clear that they are fighting the same battle alongside you. “overthinking” wears a Linkin Park-esque vibe as it firmly grasps the listener’s hand, reminding them that life’s too short to harp on every little detail. The track grows more frustrated at this obsession as the song continues to develop and swell with great use of Mash’s bass as the lead instrument. The track also boasts another masterclass of a chorus, complete with supporting vocals from the rest of the band, a prominent hallmark of unpeople’s noise.
“going numb” is a wolf in sheep’s clothing: It plays off a rather free-form and nonchalant attitude towards its deconstruction of mental struggle through a chipper soundscape. It feels like a pleasant, personal serenade from Crawford & Co, but in short bursts its resentment shines through in the form of aggressive riffage. unpeople let loose yet again with a breakdown, finishing things off by raising blood pressures and lowering rational thought.
Closer “moon baboon” is the most “out there” offering of the bunch, moving to-and-fro between a serene and reassuring, yet deceptively menacing soft rock hook and an infectious groove metal verse section that gives the band a chance to stretch their heavier muscles. These two contrasting styles eventually converge into the true unpeople sound; The previously faux-jolly chorus elevates to an intense unpeople standard, and the abrasive, chaotic howls of Crawford’s verses become a back and forth between himself and his peers. He’s almost painted as an increasingly unhinged ringmaster, stringing the song along with the sole purpose of reminding you that this way of life will eventually come crashing down – a fitting sentiment for what is to be essentially the closing statement of the EP as the curtain begins to fall. unpeople have one last dance left in them however, as a hair-raising build-up culminates in a grand finale beatdown. It’s as though they are making a statement with uncompromising confidence that “we are unpeople, this is what we have to say, and this is how we’re gonna say it”, in a manner that is bound to inspire blunt-force injury among spectators. “moon baboon” makes for a breathtaking and really special closer.
Since their inception unpeople have stood out as a project with immeasurable amounts of promise. It’s a struggle to compare the band to other artists as they ooze an effortless poise and breathe much needed life into the alt rock genre by reinvigorating its message, as well as stitching on influences from metalcore and beyond. Hearing this lightning finally bottled has only reaffirmed this standpoint and should confirm the band deserve critical acclaim at all costs.
8/10
unpeople will be released via SharpTone Records on Friday, April 19th, and can be pre-ordered here.