An NME new-comer staple, alternative music quartet Superfood has risen through the ranks of the unknown to make a name for themselves within indie circles. With their new E.P, the group offer plenty of opportunity to admire their guitar handy-work, even if it is rough around the edges.
Unfortunately, opener ‘T.V’ proves to be rather obnoxious. It’s a very overwhelming intro and grates on your nerves fairly quickly. I do appreciate the punk/Clash tone running through the lyrics and vocals, and it’s an ambitious move to make for an opening track. However, I find myself put off by the chaos of noise, with the whole thing sounding like a bit of a mess.
Yet this sheer energy evolves into a contained chaos with next track ‘Bubbles’. This second song impressed me far more than opener T.V; with a delightful riff shining through the harsh vocals and blanket of fierce guitar. The aggressive attitude still resonates, but in a way that still feels kinder on the ears and becomes more memorable for it.
Third track ‘Melting’, also sounds far better developed and finely composed than ‘T.V.’. Moments of heavy guitar pounding are offset by higher and cleaner pitches of individual guitar composition, which, when merged together, make a great combination that’s very reminiscent of Nirvana’s or Foo-fighters’ best tracks.
The E.P then comes full circle with ‘Houses on the Plain’: a much harsher and wilder outro than the previous two tracks. However, this final song is not nearly as messy as the E.P’s opening track: It dances on the edge of oblivion yet manages to maintain a sense of structure and direction.
Despite being initially irritating, MAM does become a record with a sense of direction and thus a record to mostly enjoy. A band that’s showing promise, Superfood certainly recognises competent guitar composition.
6/10
MAM E.P will be released by Infectious Music on the 3rd March 2014
