There is nothing quite like the do-it-yourself mentality and drive that modern artists have when it comes to putting forward music for adoring fans.
Having grown up on Bandcamp and Soundcloud releases for as long as I can remember, there is also nothing quite like the thrill of hitting that “Play” button on a new album, and browsing through the plethora of reviews left by only the most diehard of followers.
Progressive outfit KOYO have been making music for years, having made their splash with the 2017 self-titled album “KOYO”, and following it up with “You Said It” in 2020. To endure the rigours of the pandemic, they have continued to excel with their jazzy and funky brand of music to keep listeners enticed, so much so that their upcoming third album has been enthused by patrons through an ambitious Kickstarter campaign.
Suffice to say, having had the opportunity to listen to an early stream of what listeners can come to expect from the four-piece rock group.
Having made their name in appearances on the BBC Introducing Stage at Leeds & Reading Festival, as well as appearances at Live at Leeds and Download Festival, the prog-rock influence has received sufficient airplay over the years for BBC Radio Leeds, Radio X and Absolute Radio.
They’ve overcome the creative block that followed their sophomoric release some years ago, and have come out with a production that is bound to rock the socks off of anybody within radius of a speaker playing their contemporary sound, smashing through the 21st century barrier like a bullet!
“La Cucaracha” roars through my speaker with a catchy-as-sin riff that builds in noise and electricity for what is to follow. It’s quirky, it’s sexy, and while it feels like it never ends, it continues to build and progress with every note, leaving one’s ears yearning for more.
“Mechanical Bull” covers the philosophy surrounding growth and maturity. It is a relatable phenomenon, witnessing your worldview distort and change with age. This is reflected through the evolving sound of instrumentation, from the clanging guitars to the vocals that immediately have me picturing a smoke-filled hall in the 1970s.
“Hooked” brings us back to the present with a meta perspective on the age of technology, with solos that look to reinvent the wheel implemented by the greats, from My Bloody Valentine to Pink Floyd.
Vocalist Huw Edwards has a knack, and it truly comes to life during “Electric Eel”, which thus far has been my favourite to listen to. The harmonic vocals really add to the atmospheric world established by the group, and it really is one that can be played back-to-back, giving one the ability to listen back to and discover new things all over again.
“Dark Horse” is a different vibe, with a nostalgic glimpse back at 1970s rock bands that truly allowed the modern underground artists to break through the glass ceiling in recent decades. It’s raw and it’s integral to capture the spirit of what is a romance with its phenom progressive rock predecessors. The muffled lyrical energy really adds to the finished product they were able to create. There is a Nine Inch Nails energy with the inclusion of an electrifying bridge in the middle, echoing industrial rock elements from the 1990s.
“Into The Dirt” keeps the energy alive with high-pitched vocals that have me recalling the magic behind discovering Death From Above 1979, and then following it up with a tasty segment that ushers in a distinct sound, sure to have live crowds jamming. To-and-fro, the two segments intertwine to create a discourse of instrumentation. It’s dark, visceral and unruly.
“Is This Real?” exploits the thematics around dream and reality, with a mystifying and spiritual approach analysing the mis-en-scene of what makes a dream. Slow and vibey, it is a welcome introduction to a possible future sound KOYO could truly revolutionise music with. The lyrics “is this real or fake?” will stain your brain with their intoxicating messages. At eight minutes in length, this has the most dimension of all of the songs – an ever-evolving melody that takes one on a journey through the mind. As someone who has endured sleep paralysis more times than can be counted, this serves as a perfect narration for what the brain has to be going through upon waking up and reflecting.
“Stoneman” sees a return of the slapping guitar that has really brought KOYO to the forefront of innovation, in the closing moments of the record. There is a Pearl Jam sound, with a chorus that brings me back to the power ballads of 1980s and 1990s icons. Pair this with the skin-raising guitars mid-track, and you have an experience that would give any live listener goosebumps.
Don’t forget to give KOYO a listen on Spotify, have a gander at their website, and if you like what you hear, give them some love on Kickstarter today.
