EP Review: Birds Of Tokyo – Anchor
2 min read
The five-piece Aussie rock outfit have flown the nest for this EP, and decided LA is as good a place as any to find new sounds, new ideas and a new outlook. Ironically named Anchor, this collection of songs feels more like the boys have released the weight and allowed themselves to free their minds and think outside the box.
Titular track Anchor builds in with sombre tones and snaps to create images of California embodied in music. Front man Ian Kenny has really thrown himself in the deep end here, creating a sound that’s almost like homage to early 80’s American rock. This is all set against heartbreaking lyrics of chasing ghosts and finding loneliness, creating a track of strange but satisfying presence.
Puzzle settles into new age ballad territory, drawing on influences of Daft Punk and MGMT, whilst being intertwined around a strong melody. Touch The Screen gives the fans something they might recognise a bit more; heavy guitars build the tone, but the track is still undeniably hell bent on LA dreaming.
Ian’s vocals are laid bare for all to ponder throughout the EP. Shedding away the extra layers of music has truly shown that the singer can hold his own, and that there’s a good voice at the base of the band. Weight of the World is testament to this with its intriguing build up and off-key synths mixing well with the honest but brutal vocals.
Anchor is a brave and bold EP. The band has really focused their energies onto creating something with a different atmosphere to previous work, and it’s really paid off. The fresh American air has stirred something in their souls, and the focus this has provided in the music can clearly be seen. Whether this will sway everyone is another question, but the boys have definitely created something here that sits well in the spur of the moment, and works nicely as an EP.
