Sometimes the shorter the project, the better… urgency to get a point a cross is all you need is opposed to a long winded message as many a twitter writer would say. Brighton’s Egyptian Blue have managed to command a space within England’s current post-punk revival wave, taking nimble tracks that are filled with the potency of youth clashing against the ever growing fear of age that wishes to stop it in its tracks. Compact songs that weave through each other to create a helix of dire wishes with a pulsing heart sure to captivate any listener feeling the dread of tomorrow. Formed by the brainchild duo of childhood friends Leith Ambrose (guitar / vox) and Andy buss (guitar / vox), the pair developed a kinship on classic records from Talking Heads to Foals while embracing their love of songwriting. Together the two set on a course to move ahead with starting what would become EB in their teenage years hosting their debut shows at vintage shops literally three weeks into forming the project, taking to reckless abandonment and sweat filled nights of pure adrenaline. The pair brought along their friends Luke Phelps (bass) and Isaac Ide (drums) to turn their formulaic dissonance to a new level and shape a conscious critique on the governmental failings of their native UK. Their debut EP Collateral Damage brings their fruits of frustration to realization with four songs the band had created over different years of the projects life, capturing the maturation of their evolving sound and the jubilance of their live shows. Released in April of 2019, the group grabbed the attention of the ravenous UK press and sported an opening slot with Dubliners The Murder Capital alongside their tour of the UK. The group seemed poised to have their own breakout before the COVID-19 crisis, halting their tour dates in celebration of a new compressed EP entitled ‘Body of Itch’ embedded with three searing tracks that continue the band’s path of passionate angular spirit.
Beginning with a throbbing bass line by Phelps that winds its way around Andy Buss’ tense vocals that soar with unbreakable speed spewing contempt against expectations of his past ills (“oh no I’ll never be the hopeless main you’d hoped I’d be / oh no I’ll never be the hopeless man that you wanted me to be”). “Nylon Wire” is a song charmed with the spry embrace of taking the negative hashing others conjure and recycle them into the energy that’ll lift you out of your throes into a world of your own making. The final minute marks the birth of your new beginning, full of optimism as you journey away from any bearings that laid you down.
“Four Is The Last Four” showcases the band’s balanced control of swift rhythmic disscordance reminiscent of their idols Gang of Four, but without the art-punk quandaries of upper middle class snobbery. Instead the group adds working class fervor to give heed to the sense of claustrophobia brought upon by dead end jobs (“you clock-in / you clock-out”). Inspired by watching a group counting each song in that the four piece saw live one night, they use this mantra to signal the repetitiveness of menial worth placed upon them. The track evolves from a dance infused section to a sporadic intensity that welcomes you to break free of your shackles.
To end, “Never” features slicing guitars that collide between idyllic pastures and on the heels of death’s door calamity. The track features an emotional panic led by Buss’ delivery on the deceitful tactics used by leaders to sway a nation down a path of degradation and remorse (“weapons of mass deception”). A romantic charm is held in the final chant (“One day we’ll climb a mountain but I’m never coming down!), bidding you to see that one day clarity will be restored but you should never align yourself with the hopes that politicians hold your best interest in mind… a sentiment that holds more weight now more than ever.
Egyptian Blue illustrate the pitfalls of our society, filled with the anger of millions and the hope that we’ll be able to escape the cruel fate of humanity without empathy.
Body of Itch is out now via Yala! Records; order here. You can listen to EP below along with a live performance of “Never”…