Bristol-based noise crew Phoxjaw are set to release their first full-length title, Royal Swan on July 3rd via Hassle Records, following on from their two successful EP’s, Goodbye Dinosaur and A Playground For Sad Adults. This new record spans the range from angsty alternative noise to distorted indie and more in between as it traverses its steller eleven-track length. Each track offers a slightly different flavour to the last and all are finely polished and produced creating a unique atmosphere and soundscape from start to finish.
After the intro, ‘Trophies In The Attic’ gets to work screaming the walls down and getting right up in the listeners face before the following track, ‘Triple AAA’ the second single from the album complete with quarantine video, gets you moving, its upbeat indie foundation gives way to down-tuned guitars and a level of intensity usually found in the likes of the Refused or Converge before switching right back up again. ‘You Don’t Drink Unicorns Blood’ follows that and changes the vibe and tempo completely, a much darker, eerie track with hints of Placebo lurking just under the surface. This then departs for lead single ‘Half House’ which is one of the most standout tracks, an excellent rhythm and anthemic chorus make it a heavy contender and the obvious choice to promote the upcoming record, all this and we are only at the half way point.
From here the album continues its rise and descend style of tempo changes, aggression, soft vocals and all-out rhythmic assaults, never choosing to stay in one place for very long, instead opting to keep the whirlwind party going in every direction, this is all pulled off both effortlessly and expertly, the result being a unique sounding album to brighten these dark times. As mentioned, Phoxjaw have steadily built from the work on their two EP’s and are ready to set loose a truly refreshing and interesting album, if this record doesn’t cement them a place on the top upcoming UK bands then I don’t know what will.
