Release: Never Be Content EP
Never Be Content is the new EP from electronic trio InnerPartySystem. The band released their first EP in 2007, and has since improved their music to something truly outstanding. It’s sure to be a great lead up to their forthcoming full length album, due later this year.
Before listening to any of the tracks, I was dreading to hear the same mumbo jumbo as the majority of the electronic music out there – the same rhythms, the same effects, the same boring rubbish that’ll send you to sleep. With this in the back of my mind, I knew I was going to be critical with the songs, and knew they needed to hit the high standard I was looking for.
So the first track started and straight away I was pleasantly surprised. And Together starts off sounding really modern, and quite similar to the style of huge musical sensations such as Daft Punk. I know that they’re probably one of the biggest and well known bands in the genre, but they set such a high standard. The track kicks in pretty quickly, with funky bassy beats that would set any party/club atmosphere in a second. It follows the same kind of pattern as other electronic artists, building the music up and down, so it does sound a bit repetitive. However, as an opening track, it’s a great start to the EP.
Money Makes The World Go Round is the second track on the EP. It starts off with a similar beat to the first song, but the vocals come in a lot sooner. I love the voice effects used. It’s so robot-like and cool – maybe just pleasing my inner pleasure for The Terminator? Whatever it is, it’s working. The vocals then turn a bit more “normal” sounding, with the music quieting behind. It’s a really good build up to the heavy beats after, and shows a lot more structure instead of sounding repetitive and a bit boring. It also has a lot of random sound effects, much like you would back in school when you’d constantly switch to “DJ” mode on the keyboards. Very fun!
By this point, I’m nearly half way through the EP. The next track, American Trash, is probably my favourite out them all. It’s so amazingly party-ish. As soon as the bass drops in, it instantly made me wants to put on some stupidly high heels and get absolutely trashed. Its times like this that I wish I had a massive sub so the full effect would come through. Like the previous song, it shows a lot of structure, which makes it stand out from the generic samey electro junk, and places it up there with techno geniuses. I can definitely see this song being a huge hit.
Out Of Touch is a lot more toned down compared to the previous song, which is probably a good thing. My ears need a bit of soothing! Although it’s a lot more chilled, the initial background music is still there, but the vocals are a lot more dominant in this song. It shows a lot more of InnerPartySystem’s other talents, not just showing their DJ skills. It’s just a really nice song to chill out and relax to.
The next song, Not Getting Any Better, is pretty similar to the prior track in the way that the vocals are a lot more dominant. But the electro bass loveliness is back! It’s not too heavy, but the squeaky effects give it that funky edge, and just give it a really fun feeling. I think lyrically, this song is the best to sing-a-long to, as the rhythm and tone is just perfect. Just over half way, an awesome break in the song also gives it that extra push from generic, to outstanding.
Reaching the end to this already amazing EP, the final song Squid has already made me like it just for the name. It’s weird and quirky, and to be honest, that’s what this track exactly is. It’s so different to the rest of the EP. The hard bass has virtually been wiped out, and calmer effects have been introduced. In a way, it actually reflects the word ‘squid’ as it sounds quite underwater like. Elements of dubstep are introduced into the song, with the good old wobble wobble, and overall it sounds very futuristic. It’s a really happy ending to a great EP.
I think what I like most about this EP is how all the songs flow so well into one another. Each is so different, yet carries something on from the previous track. It makes it a lot easier to listen to, making the time fly by. The boys have done a great job in showing their individual style, one thing that a lot of similar artists fail miserably at.
Reviewer: Jasmine Sevette
