Alternative rock is too vague a term to describe any band or musician at this point – Diamond Youth’s new EP, ‘Shake’, doesn’t just fit into the stereotypes that alt-rock throws up, offering so much more than that. The Baltimore-based foursome have just released another EP on Topshelf Records, and it begs the question as to how far they can build on the arguably tired tropes of alternative rock.
‘Red Water’ is the first track off ‘Shake’ and it’s an exemplary way to start any EP. A grabbing bass riff leads to reverb-tinged vocals and before long the whole song just explodes with energy. There’s elements of Queens of the Stone Age here, of course, but with the added bonus of a more messy, frenzied element which works perfectly.
It’s always tempting to pick a “stand-out track” from any release but ‘Shake’ doesn’t have one, which is the best possible situation. The second song off the EP – entitled ‘Can’t Shake The Feeling’ – is most likely going to fit this mould, and deservedly so. The chorus of the same title is infectious, and the searing guitar is backed up by some solid production overall. Production is often overlooked in cases where the music is so tight but it must be mentioned here – no musical element is overlooked.
As mentioned before, this EP may be dubbed “alt-rock” but Diamond Youth seem to have squirmed away from any particular, arbitrary genre. ‘Don’t Feel Real’ strays into grungy territory, unfortunately reminiscent of the cheesiest of 90’s grunge offerings. Yet, affairs return back to their wild roots when ‘Maryland Ice Cream’ kicks in towards the end of this six-track EP. It’s a 48-second homage to the best punk songs, done in Diamond Youth’s soon-to-be notable style – another unmissable track.
‘Shake’ is best summed up as a garage-brushed, raw and captivating release which is really promising. It oozes with style and never verges into the dreaded territory of overproduction. Alt-rock is definitely a more attractive proposition when it’s done like this – Diamond Youth have injected it with the attitude and force that’s been long overdue.
SAMARTH KANAL