In October 2023, Rews has released her third record, Meridians. After keeping it for myself for a bit, here’s the review of a wonder.
MERIDIANS – REWS
For Meridians, Rews is resilient and faces adversity with elegance and rage too. The drums hit hard, the bass growls, and the guitar roars. When the voice joins in, I really understand its force and grip. The World That You Left Behind seems vengeful like this, head low, determined look… the dark atmosphere of its introduction is the fuel for a fiery motivation that heats her voice throughout the whole album.
Bringing down the patriarchy, toxic relationships, and anyone who wants to have the upper hand on others… with Pretty Face becomes easy. Here, Rews creates an anthem with an empowering chorus that can’t leave me. Not Your Soldier is another track with a rebel spirit. It has the heat I mentioned earlier. But better yet, it’s subtle and well-written.
Misery pursues Rews’ quest for emancipation with a rhythm that flirts with sounds from classic metal. The verses are vaporous, worrisome, and delicate. The chorus is epic, strong, and clear. And it’ll grab your ear instantly. Tears of a Lion has a similar construction but a different emotional charge. It’s an impactful song.
Lighter, comes in Addicted To You. The atmosphere is more playful, flirty, in love even. And it’s super-efficient, and cannot be missed. As fun to listen to, although it has darker undertones in the lyrics, Psycho Maniac Killer keeps an efficiency that shows why Rews is so impactful. The bass is also particularly cool, and I love it.
A calm intro, an exploration of sounds tipping towards electronica, an explosion of riffs… Lock Your Horns is full of surprises. It’s another beautiful window into the musician’s determination that navigate in a complex and changing industry. Breathe Into Me is looking for that inner and calming breather in a bright and brilliant chorus.
If this third record gets some punk inflexions, alternative rock, and pop-rock, the above-mentioned metal influences are is not to be put aside so swiftly. Just so it’s really clear, have a listen to On My Back (Giant’s Roar) and its satisfying scream. If this contrast marks, Rews finishes with another, as memorable. Everything, an acoustic one. The quiet and calm end shows off the artist’s complete talent and work, with a softness.
With all this, I can put the needle of my turntable back on the pretty transparent vinyl, and start over. Indeed, it is partly due to my obsessional traits. But it makes sense given the records’ heart. The re-listen potential is clearly high, and not just for its bangers but for its breaks too. So, Meridians by Rews really needs to be listened to. For its empowerment and brushed sonorities. It’s for me, the mark of an artist who continues to participate greatly in renewing British rock. Don’t miss her out.
Now Playing: Addicted to You
