It’s been eight years since The Empty Page’s debut album and between regular gigs and singles, they’ve not exactly been quiet between long players. But with this, Imploding, they’re finally ready to serve up a full dish of their angsty alt-punk.
It’s not an album full of sledgehammers thrown into your face at 100mph. It’s more deliberate and sophisticated than that but there’s still enough up-tempo numbers and snottiness to ensure this is still a punk album and yet be so much more at the same time. Just one listen of lead single “Cock of the Fifth Year” is enough to convince you of that. The band rail against toxic masculinity and those who essentially peak in high school (not always the same people but it is a hell of a coincidence, right?). Vocalist Kel spits her words out with urgency and venom, akin to Joe Talbot on IDLES’ early albums. Its dark humour whilst spitting the phrase of “Lock up your sons” over the fuzzy and jagged guitar brings a layer of aggression and frustration to the track which is perfect for this number which doesn’t even touch the three-minute mark.
If you like what we do, consider ing us on Patreon for as little as £1 per month!
Elsewhere, opening salvo of “Dry Ice” is one of a few which is led by a thrilling bass line, acting as the focal point whilst Giz’s guitar deftly shuffles around it and even when it opens up into the chorus into the dissonant tones of the bridge, it continues its relentless race to the finish, refusing to take a back seat. It matches up well with closing track “What Happens Now” as guitar and jangly soundscapes take centre stage. It comes across post punk and the 80s pop vibe against Kel’s drawling vocals and her pronunciation evoke hints of Blondie from that era.
Whilst there’s definitely rage and up-beat tunes to be found on Imploding, there’s plenty of slower and subtle moments to be found, too. Dreamy sounds on songs “Life is a Wave” and “I’m a White Hot Blade (Witches Are Wicked)” and serene and contemplative without falling into the trap of turning morose or downright maudlin. “Level Sedentary” manages to sound grungy with its dark bass line but the bright vocals allow for the dichotomy to be reflected in the music itself – sometimes you just have to do nothing and there’s no shame in that. “Leaf Thin” is the closest the album has to an out-and-out downer and if this was your more traditional rock album, this would be your big bluesy ballad-type song. It’s the most bare-bones of the lot, rumbling background noise against subtle percussion and soft vocals allow for some ambience and would actually have made for a perfect finale. Instead, it’s the afore-mentioned “What Happens Now” which also does an excellent job of finishing the journey.
There’s a chance for a bit of filth and rambunctiousness and while it may not be as filthy as the likes of The Hyena Kill or Metz with scuzzy guitars on “Medication Nation” with its frantic melody and “Big Nasty Palpitations” is riddled with anxiety. It’s namely directed at potential nuclear war but it also takes massive swipes at those in power and the rich and the strong stamping on those with less to their name. It pulses throughout with the anxiety yet keeps a sense of acceptance as if powerless to do anything about it.
If this is what we had to wait eight years for, it was worth it. Despite the change of personnel with Blossoms’ John Simm for this album, there’s a cohesiveness to it and the chemistry from Kel and Giz is the underlying factor which keeps it together. Solid production allows the louder, angsty songs to mix seamlessly with the more shoegaze-type moments and creates a consistency. There’s a sense of luxury without self-indulgence on those sombre tracks, allowing the album not to take itself too seriously whilst highlighting important subjects. Exactly where it needs to be, Imploding is a more than worthy follow-up which builds on the debut, refusing to rehash previous ideas but allows you to jump in here to know who The Empty Page are.
Don’t fancy Patreon? Buy us a one-off beverage!
Imploding is released on 10th May
Check out all the bands we review in 2024 on our Spotify and YouTube playlists!
The Empty Page: official | facebook | twitter | instagram | bandcamp | youtube
