New Music Review – Daisy Victoria – Nobody Dies

Band: Daisy Victoria
EP: Nobody Dies
Genre: Indie-rock
Social Media: Facebook/Twitter/Bandcamp/Soundcloud

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Daisy Victoria is the singer-songwriter, indie-rocker that released her debut EP, Heart full Of Beef, back in March of this year. I reviewed said EP, over here and thought that it was a fantastic way of strutting into the indie-rock scene, with confident songs, fantastically delivered vocals and a generally well put together, if a little bit raw, release. And she’s been continuing to make waves in the blogoshpere, by developing a substantial following. That and airtime on radio-stations, new videos and such, Daisy Victoria is not only cooking with gas, but with a hob, a pan and some food.

Now a few months later, we have the next EP, Nobody Dies, set to be released on the 30^th of November, although it is available to stream now through Miss Victoria’s Soundcloud.

It’s clear from the start of the EP that strides are being made in some new and exciting directions for Victoria, not massive steps, but steps none the less. For one, there seem to be some dabbling in effects and bigger, more bombastic elements of rock music. I mean, there are plenty of subtle effects here, but strangely enough, the songs sound at their best when the guitars sound tarty. Like the flanged guitar on Ammonite and the occasional flares of it on Blue Arc.There’s also a ton of effects on nearly everything in Coals as well, this would usually turn me off of a song, but here it doesn’t feel offensive – Just a positive feeling towards it. I guess, I could say, that it doesn’t feel like the effects are trying to hide lazy or boring instrumentation, so it just adds and builds-up the song, as opposed to just muddling it all up.

I’m really enjoying the bass focus on this EP, it’s been brought forward in the production and sounds like it’s been given the centre stage, if only to ground the effect drunk guitars. Still, I’m glad to see the bass take a well-deserved turn in the spotlight. On top of that, I think the general production on this EP surpasses Heart Full Of Beef – the instruments sound punchy and the vocals are as clear as they need to be.

This is just great, the production being upped has made some great moments on this EP even greater. Like the bridge, just before the outro of the title track, Nobody Dies, it’s wonderfully driving and fun to listen to – the way the guitars screech in the background, while the drum and bass steer in no wrong direction, just good, fun rock. The song Ammonite is rather great too – the bass through this song reminds me of a very Cure influenced bass guitar. There’s also some organ on this track which really chunks the whole thing out and doesn’t stick out, at least in my opinion.

While I do think that a lot of the darkness from the first EP has taken a bus home, for now, there are still some incredibly intense moments, for starters, the intro to Another Sky, is wonderfully sultry and so is the whole of Coals, but that could be owing to the effected vocals, ambitious electronics and some erratic guitar (also, is that a harmonica I can hear). Of course though, all of this is held together by Miss Victoria’s vocals.

Nobody Dies, feels again, like an EP of experimentation and that does, somewhat, apply to the singing on this release as well. The vocal line she sings in Coals is my favourite line I’ve heard her do yet. I’d like to see more of this, either the effected vocals, or maybe even an angrier (at least sounding) side of her vocals. Blue Arc has some low vocals, which I really appreciated, but it’d be nice to see those be dragged out a little bit more. Besides that, its business as usual Daisy Victoria vocals, which is great, I can’t really see why people would have a problem with them; they tie these brilliant songs together.

Final Notes:

Nobody Dies is another killer release from Daisy Victoria that promises fans an interesting ride with ecstatic guitars, more electronic influences, some killer production and an infectious desire to expand on Miss Victoria’s musical empire. Take care and try not to get lost in all the sounds and moments that this EP provides.

New Music Review – Daisy Victoria – Heart Full Of Beef (EP)

Band: Daisy Victoria
EP: Heart Full Of Beef
Genre: Indie-rock
Social Media: Facebook/Twitter/Bandcamp/Soundcloud

Recently, I received a kindly email from the dear indie rocker, Daisy Victoria, asking if I would check out her EP. And with such lovely words, who was I to say no?

Daisy Victoria is an indie rocker that’s been jiving in the scene for a few months now and back in March, she released her debut EP, Heart Full of Beef. Said EP, has made a rather grand splash with critics; BBC introducing have got their teeth into it and now I get to!

Heart Full Of Beef on the first listen gives you a very basic idea of what to expect from Daisy Victoria, however, I think it’s with the consequent listens that you get ‘the real idea’. By ‘real idea’, I mean you can get a better sense of what this musician is all about: vocal delivery, incredibly well produced material and clever lyrics.

One might think of the famed Anna Calvi when listening to Daisy Victoria, but the latter’s music is not as darkly and sinister as Calvi’s discography.

Why go straight for Anna Calvi? Have a listen to Love Of My Life and tell me I’m wrong. Having said this, it’s clear to see that Daisy sets out to distinguish herself in a different way.

The title track Heart Full Of Beef is as chunky as its title and incorporates this raw garage rock-band sound; the guitar that sloshes along in the lower registry is thick and lays it on with the riffs. Everything on this track fits together nicely; when the chorus comes along, you need to make some noise and move your ass; dance you fool!

The guitar rawness/high gain is something that occurs regularly on this album; it does give this very garage rocky and I think that’s intentional, but the luxurious sounds of this EP give a very different picture.

Take for example the song Secret Garden Path, it offers two very contrasting sides of the beauty and the not so beauty. It’s this mystique and contrast between the luxuries and grit that really sets this EP apart from other releases of a similar nature.

Despite Macbeth To My Lady sounding infinitely more sedate than Beef, it still has no problem getting into the louder bars. I love how present the bass and drums are on this track; they hold this track together with their constant and sick beats, whilst the guitar shines away like a crazy diamond.

Cloth fits very well together and has bang on pacing, where everything slowly enters and exits quietly without straying from its strict plan. In fact, it might be possible to say that this would be my favourite from the EP. There are oodles of sounds in this sound and they all sound incredibly unique. It’s just an incredibly interesting listen. And the mini string-thing solo at the end just amplifies that.

The closing song on this EP ties everything together wonderfully. Tree blends the loud, the proud and the awareness that Daisy Victoria’s music is becoming known for. It’s a slow bloomer that doesn’t mess around for too long before it’s up on its feet and prancing around like a drunken parent at a school disco; a parent that dances well, but still, a parent.

Daisy Victoria’s debut EP is a gentle rocker that grips you with initial unease and uncertainty, but soon cuddles you into the contrasting oil painting of her world; worth a listen and more after that to get the full effect of her music. So grab a copy on Bandcamp and indulge.

Heart Full of Beef is a name you price album and you should check it out.

Until next time kids x