Making a sensation with their covers of Justin Bieber’s ‘Beauty and the Beat’, as well as their latest cover of Rihanna’s ‘Bitch Better Have My Money’, France’s own Our Theory are putting their covers aside for the release of their latest EP, ‘Renaissance’.
Mixed by Nicolas Delestrade (Betraying The Martyrs, Novelists), ‘Renaissance’ is dark, yet subtly sweet with clean vocalist Mehdi Major lending vocals to the Jekyll/Hyde duel-ship with guitarist Alex Vincent-Rey. With an okay start to opening track ‘Mirrors’, it’s really ‘Blue Valentine’ which perks up our ears and makes us stand to attention. From it’s throat-wrenching vocals, to the non-stop crunching guitars, ‘Blue Valentine’ is an untamed animal in song form. A track that keeps us guessing, It takes an eery turn with ghost-like gang vocals swiftly mixed with an abundance of musical layers, all carried by air-drum-worthy percussions. An early contender for EP favourite, no doubt.
Though it’s easy to predict these tracks will lie favour with fans who rate the likes of Asking Alexandria and Escape The Fate, unlike masking talents behind what’s already out there, Our Theory subtly mix a hint of electronica in amongst hard-hitting-rock. A winning formula which will leave you only wanting more, this feeling is hard to ignore especially in track ‘Girl’.
However, not to rely on the crunching guitars and electric surprises alone, ‘Wish You Was Here’ allows a break for sing-a-longs – or shall we say scream-a-longs, to fully allow us to appreciate both vocalists who may monumentality get overlooked by their soundtrack. Regardless to whichever side you pick this track is definitely one for that mid-set pick me up. Production is key with the final track ‘Unbreakable’, with its flawless tricks bringing a lot to this track, especially since the vocals are left a little to be desired. All in all a nice wrap up for this short, but promising EP.
Quoted to be making a storm in the French music scene, Our Theory have provided a more than moreish taste to what we may expect from their next LP. Though the storm may only reside in France thus far, with thanks to ‘Renaissance’ it seems that it won’t be long before the forecast hits the UK.
NICOLE TIERNAN