For their debut EP, Brainwasher delivers a powerful sound, full of textures and that youthful, punk sincerity. And I love it! Review.
BRAINWASHER – BRAINWASHER
Sometimes, you’ve got to get back to basics. With this first EP, named after the band itself, Brainwasher brings theirs. The quartet from Romania are steeped in punk, grunge, post-hardcore, gritty rock. But that’s not all. In fact, pop and dance clearly tint their melodies. The first track, the punchy Deathlok, is a great example. Here, the melody is catchy, the textures let chaos seep through, the vocals are rough, and the raw finish takes nothing away from the track’s quality.
The rest keeps me on board. Pest Control taps into a vintage feel with fresh energy. It blends styles of punk – from SoCal to British, and more broadly European, punk – and it’s hard to label them. That’s no bad thing, and it sounds just how I like it! Bleached Brows offers some interesting guitar work, and while, as with many of the tracks, the vocals could stand to be clearer, the singing is engaging. With Glucose, Brainwasher puts forward a new way to brain wash us (in a friendly way) and get us hooked. Like sugar, the track is both crunchy and melting. Again, the vocals could be louder, but the atmosphere is honestly a success!
With Dance 9, the band surprises with a rock sound that’s more classic than punk – a little less sharp, but still vibrant! Brainwasher closes their EP with Rejuvenate, a very promising end to this debut release. The build-up in the intro holds explosive potential that brings a smile to your face. With a bit of work on the vocals, the band would gain in lyrical clarity. However, I hope they keep their punch, their biting textures, and that frankly punk spirit of playing with the rock styles they love.
