REVENANT’s new highly anticipated EP, ‘Refractions’
Words: Rhys Reviews
Photos: Chloe Michelle
★★★★☆
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I personally think it is important to document the fact that, in order to share my thoughts on the newest EP from this Cardiff-based alternative rock band, REVENANT; I listened to the entire collection in succession. This highlighted the fact that the team had clearly and carefully thought about how each song would transition into the next, with what I interpret as a clear storyline and recurring motifs spanning the entire album. This helps to maintain a firm grasp on the listener’s attention throughout.
‘Refractions’ will be released May 29th.
Pre Save ‘Refractions’ on Spotify | Tickets to Exit 7 Show on June 19th | ‘The Third Degree’ Music Video
Photo: Chloe Michelle | Left to right; Ellie Tanner-Reeves, Matthew Moore, Latif Bryant
Having done fairly limited research into the Cardiff-based alternative rock band prior to gaining exclusive access to their newest EP, I was pleasantly surprised when REVENANT opened with a wonderfully mellow and laid-back track titled ‘Refractions (Intro)’, as this was not what I expected given the band’s genre. I think it’s fair to say that, in my everyday life, I am not usually the biggest fan of alternative rock music, as it can very quickly become too intense and overwhelming. Therefore, having ‘Refractions’ open the album was an easy way to capture the listener’s attention from the very start and encourage them to continue listening to the rest of the tracks the team have clearly worked so hard on.
The opening moments of this track are fairly stripped back in terms of musicality, featuring simply the wonderful vocalist Latif Bryant singing simple yet powerful lyrics; including the repeated line, “Are we too late?” Over the top of a fairly methodical piano accompaniment, which helps create an overall calming feel to the track.
However, the closing moments of the song see the accompaniment slowly build into the type of music we would expect from this band, beautifully leading the audience into the next track. The second number on the album, ‘Forward Thoughts’, is a much higher-energy piece that opens with a fabulous drum solo, played by the incredibly talented Matthew Moore, which perfectly marks the contrast from the earlier ‘Refractions’. This second number is much more the type of music I would expect from a rock-adjacent band, with Latif showcasing much grittier, rawer, and more intense vocals layered on top of the collection of instruments played throughout. I do have to say, however, that I at times found it somewhat difficult to focus on the lyrics being shared, as the background of the track felt crammed with intense and powerful instrumentation.
Photo: Chloe Michelle
My favourite number throughout this entire collection was the incredible ‘The Third Degree’, which takes place during an argument between the narrator and their significant other. Something reflected perfectly through both the instrumentation and the performers themselves.
For those who are unaware, giving someone “the third degree” describes the process of intense and harsh questioning in order to gain information on a given topic, most notably associated with police interrogations. This idea was clearly and thoughtfully used to describe the couple dealing with the aftermath of their fight. This number clearly aimed to correct my earlier criticism, as Latif’s vocals remained centre stage throughout the entire song, showcasing the range of his singing abilities by flawlessly switching from a soft and tranquil style to a more traditional rock-infused, gritty sound.
On top of being an incredible vocal showcase, it also wonderfully captured the thoughts and feelings of the narrator, as his emotions constantly build and overflow during the heavier sections of the track. This resolution of conflict then flows effortlessly into the next number, ‘Fairwater’, which refers to the reduction of tension — especially in ships — but in this case between the two people involved. This fairly reflective song, which leans more towards the vibe of the opening number, explores how the narrator feels about the argument while lamenting that he had “a different thing in mind than finding you on the other side”, which is not only poetic and beautiful but also highlights the love the couple share. It is a powerful and realistic depiction of how relationships function in the real world.
As expected, the vocals within this track are a treat for the listener’s ears, but the emotion and feeling behind them are painfully evident. Hinting at the alternative meaning behind the title, I found it impressively clever that the narrator asks, “Is your mind crashing out with the waves now?” which is not only a clever reference to the title, but also clearly demonstrates how their partner may be feeling in this situation.
Photo: Chloe Michelle | Left to right; Ellie Tanner-Reeves, Matthew Moore, Latif Bryant
Overall, the newest EP, ‘Refractions’, from the wonderful minds of the Cardiff-based alternative rock band Revenant, is a powerful and honest journey through a relationship falling apart, with both the genre itself and the performances wonderfully capturing the array of emotions one would feel in real life. If you are interested in the unique way rock-inspired music can be used to portray the human experience, then I would strongly recommend grabbing a ticket for the band’s headline show at Utilita Arena Cardiff’s Exit 7 Bar on 19th June.