Hearts Under Fire are now on their third(?) release with their third different line-up. After Nicky joined the band for EP number two to bolster the guitars, Sian has since left the band and Mary has taken over lead vocals. For those who have followed the band for a while now, the latest incarnation isn’t that different in sound from the earlier material. Everything is probably that bit more melodic and less aggressive; Mary’s vocals probably have a smoother edge and I think the new material works well to show that off.
‘Liquid Luck’ is a good start with some big sounding guitars, but it’s first single ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’ that really kicks things off. The vocals are strained and passionate in a very good way and the chorus is the catchiest the band have written. It’s a well written song and well put together. Thumbs up for using gang vocals as well as it helps the song flow that bit better. This EP is well worth checking out for that song alone. ‘Light My Way’ doesn’t quite work as well and the vocals seem to suffer slightly, although ‘Animals’ is a return to form at the EP’s end.
The band are always going to get publicity as an all-girl punk band, but if they can keep the same line-up and keep the consistency they’ll only go on to bigger and better things in the future based on the merits of their music and not their gender.