The Breakdown
Rock trio Queen Cult explore cinematic, atmospheric electronics and explosive rock across their new four track EP ‘For Now, Not Forever’, showcasing their ability to craft exciting, multi-faceted, punchy soundscapes.
Opening with an atmospheric, floating, glitching pitch-shifted guitar line on ‘Lollipop’, grinding distorted bass and punching drums soon enter instantly displaying the genre blending sound present across the EP. The silky, sultry lead vocals, dripping with attitude from singer Maisie Johnson give the track a central pin, giving the track a hook as the track gradually grows before bursting into life with a bigger than big guitar riff which pull the track into it’s, explosive and exhilarating chorus whilst retaining a catchy edge with the ear worm vocal-line. Instantly comparable the likes of Royal Blood and Nothing But Thieves with a hint of Paramore (sorry seems like a lazy comparison, but the vocals do have a Hayley Williams-esque bite).
‘Better Believe’ again opens with electronic atmospherics before shifting into an off beat guitar rhythm given an Arctic Monkeys tint with the fast paced lyricism. Building into a massive rock soundscape towards the chorus with some gorgeous thick fuzz guitar sounds and soaring vocals. A definite single, intensely catch and catchy chorus and vibrant sense of energy.
The EPs third track ‘It Matters To Me’ is perhaps the bands most effect blend of electronic elements and rock instrumentation. Perfectly balancing funk tinted inflections washes of synth and dappled electronics and sample with the poppy, ultra catchy vocal lines, driving fuzzy guitars, punching drums and driving bass, ‘It Matters To Me’ feels like it truly pulls all of the bands contrasting ideas together into a cohesive, expressive exploring of affecting pop-rock. It’s hard to pick out a highlight when indeed all 4 of these tracks could be lead singles in themselves, but sonically, ‘It Matter’s To Me’ covers the most ground.
The EP’s closing track ‘Anxious Delight’ see’s the band lean further into their cinematic, electronic-pop side with otherworldy, swelling synths, deep sub bass and reverb and delay drenched guitar lines before building to stylistic explosive, guitar led climax.
An EP which showcase Queen Cult’s impeccable writing, tight musicality and cinematic, spotless, stadium filling, huuuuge production, ‘For Now, Not Forever’ gives a real insight into the band’s breathtaking musicality and impactful soundscapes over 4 tracks which could all be singles in of themselves. The trio’s ability to create commercially viable tracks which lean into their alternative-rock sensibilities shines – there’s no doubt these tracks have a place on Radio 1 as well as on Planet Rock, it’s impressive and brilliantly balanced.
Listen below:
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