Decent debut from the British five-piece
Hailing from Reading, female-fronted quintet We Caught the Castle release their self-titled debut EP. Immediately you should dispel any preconceptions that you may have formed; We Caught the Castle are far edgier than the likes of Hey Monday and more soulful than that Tennessee band (led by a certain fiery redhead) that everyone has suddenly become infatuated with. During their introductory three track opus, the British five-piece display impressive versatility, exhibiting a sound that fuses pop-punk and hardcore.
They say that first impressions count and We Caught the Castle have made sure to take advantage of this by opening with the vigorousness of 'Lips'. The rhythmic unity is striking, suggesting that the band have already established a decent level of collaborative understanding.
Despite lacking the aggression of its predecessor, 'LayerCake' is the highlight of this debut, magnificently illustrating the emotive dynamism that the group are capable of. Singer Hollie Cobb contributes another captivating performance and is once again effectively balanced with the backing vocals of guitarist Simon Jackman and bassist Robbie Everett. Only got time to listen to one track? Make sure it's this one.
Although the initial opening of 'Say What You Want' may appear a little restrained, Everett's grungy bassline hints that the song is set to erupt into life at any moment. The vocal harmonies are once again executed with precision, leading to a satisfying climax as the chorus breaks into life. Cobb's vocals soar superbly and the aural spectrum blossoms into a delightful mixture of beauty and energy.
We Caught the Castle may have only formed in 2009, but the band have matured impressively and clearly have a great future ahead of them. It would be a tragic shame if they ever get branded a Paramore-wannabe act, because We Caught the Castle are anything but.