Over the past year, one of the most exciting breakthrough artists has certainly come in the form of Bournemouth indie grunge three-piece, Opalites, as the young outfit have been making waves taller than their hometown. While most young bands are busy mastering the basic principles of the industry, Opalites have already gained support from BBC Introducing, leading to a recent play on Radio 1. Alongside this, the band have performed at Teddy Rocks Festival and found themselves on a number of shows locally, honing their craft to a growing audience. Their first extended play comes in the form of Red Flag which captures the adolescent experiences of angst and feminine rage through their blend of grunge and alt-rock.
Opening track and previous single “What Would You Do?” sets the tone and highlights the influences of songwriters Emily and Taya, as elements of Wolf Alice, Sonic Youth and Elastica come to the forefront. The record is meant to share a scrapbook of their teenage years, and the authentic, raw quality of their lyricism is evident throughout the listen. Following this, “Ticket Stubs” is soaked with attitude and sarcasm, uttering a particular favourite phrase of mine in the form of ‘quelle surprise’. It’s difficult not to be drawn into the emotion of the rhetorical nature of the chorus, as the harmony-fuelled melody blends into verses laced with further frustration.
Just as a cloud of bitterness forms below the ether, the driving pulse of “Rosaline” sparks a renewed sense of angst, like a goth’s defibrillator. It seems the genetic code of their sound has fallen into place, when there is a sudden shift towards a playful disco feel in the chorus. The use of subtle elements in their song writing to maintain a consistent sound whilst avoiding mindless repetition is admirable for a band in its infancy, particularly one influenced by 90s grunge. Nearing the end of the record, the familiar sound of their debut single “Too Late” never loses its touch. Despite having been released last year, it will always sound classic. Jarring opening chords are married with a laid back vocal delivery, which soar alongside eerie lead lines and the merciless remarks of an unforgiving victim.
Finally, the closer for the record, “Means To An End” offers another welcome change of direction towards a breezy farewell; drifting into the dreamier side of their sound and leaning closer to indie than grunge. After such a journey of self-discovery, which we all experience in our teenage years, it seems fitting for this track to provide a gentle reminder that even the harshest storms will pass.
This record certainly serves as a catalyst; a collection which should spark excitement in their fan base and provide a vital stepping stone for the future. In my humble opinion, a greater use of dynamics in their song writing and delivery could see them reach the soaring heights of their potential. It has to be said that if this is the first offering from Opalites, then this project is more than just a hair-raising prospect.
Red Flag
Track Listing:
What Would You Do?
Ticket Stubs
Rosaline
Too Late
Means To An End
Opalites are
Emily Howells – Guitar/Vocals
Taya Minchington – Guitar/Bass/Vocals
Josh Robertson – Drums
Links
https://www.facebook.com/opalites.official
https://www.instagram.com/opalites.official
https://www.youtube.com/@opalitesofficial
Words by George Fullerton.
