“Illusion” is an extended play by The Mustard, an excellent quintet based in Bracknell, UK. Consisting of three cleverly assembled and flawlessly performed songs, it represents their debut material, released in 2021. Inspired by so many renowned artists like U2, Coldplay, and Simple Minds, The Mustard delivers some of the best ideas and superb orchestrations you’ll hear in a while. Soundwise, the band combines many different but complementary genres and subgenres to illustrate such rich and luxurious sonic imagery. They unquestionably incorporate the fundamentals of eighties rock, but don’t be surprised if you stumble upon some of the finest elements borrowed from indie rock, alternative, synth rock, synth pop, synthwave, and new wave. They use all these additional sonic ingredients as more than necessary enhancements, accentuations, decorations, and other details to uplift these songs to new heights while simultaneously remaining loyal to the primary sonic direction. Therefore, these experimentations with many different but complementary styles resulted in catchy, memorable, engaging songs that will immediately suit even the pickiest music enthusiasts. From the initial notes and beats, you’ll notice that these folks are not joking around with their music. Each composition arrives with a perfect structure, adorned with many intricate segments and instrumentations. Each band member plays a significant role in shaping a lush ambiance where all the vocal, sonic, and rhythmic maneuvers collide harmoniously. Also, it’s also good to mention that each composition carries different vibes, showcasing The Mustard’s creativity and versatility.
This marvelous extended play begins with the title track, an exceptional number where the calm, soothing, relaxing, ethereal atmosphere grabs your attention and refuses to let you go even after the song ends. The excellent vocal performance commands attention and guides listeners through each segment while contributing to the complexity and depth. You’ll hear how the impressive vocal range seamlessly balances low, mid, and high notes, emphasizing every moment and orchestration. The comprehensive collection of tastefully assembled riffs and chord progressions expertly complements catchy leads, themes, and accentuations while the majestic synth layers provide a nearly cathartic listening experience with an equal dosage of mesmerizing orchestrations. The rhythm section propels this composition to new heights with equally intricate, warm-sounding low-end notes delivered on fretless bass, and profoundly detailed, moderate, well-accentuated rhythmic patterns provided by the highly skilled drummer. It’s such a perfect overture into a majestic EP release that hides even more surprises along the way.
“Further On Down The Road” embraces everything you dearly love about the eighties music. The synth-rock, synthwave, synth-pop, and new wave vibes are strong in this one, but let’s not forget the incorporation of some of the finest elements borrowed from classic rock, hard rock, and progressive rock. All these elements contribute to the song’s lush ambiance, omnipresent from scratch to finish. The Mustard thought about everything while stacking instrumentations, so you’ll hear how multiple layers of marvelous synth themes, leads, harmonies, sequences, ambiances, and other sonic maneuvers perfectly match the heavy, powerful, robust guitar riffs. The attention to detail is nearly mindblowing, as the guitar player delivers tremendous performance, vividly hearable in so many virtuosities and accentuations that unquestionably contribute to the overall listening experience. The experienced lead vocalist decorates and emphasizes each moment with his incredible vocal abilities, providing sincere, confident, emotive vocal harmonies that expertly complement all instruments. The energetic rhythmic sequences based upon intricate, well-accentuated beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics keep everything in line while dictating groove and pace. Of course, this song wouldn’t be complete without another dosage of profoundly complex, vividly hearable, warm-sounding basslines, which contribute heaviness, clarity, and depth to the songs. It’s a standout song on this marvelous EP that will quickly become your go-to track whenever you crave eighties rock music.
“Part Of Me Reprise” is a perfect closure of this excellent material, with marvelously arranged layers of various synth themes, melodies, and chord progressions shaping a cathartic atmosphere that brings solace and tranquility. This composition showcases their ability to construct perfect ambient, chillout, experimental, avant-garde pieces where all the layers of orchestration harmoniously collide. “Part Of Me Reprise” continuously levitates between calm and ethereal moments and more robust and heavy segments, showcasing the impressive dynamics in sound. Some listeners may find some similarities with Enya due to the additional vocal layers, but The Mustard sounds fresh, unique, and innovative during the track, once again demonstrating their versatility as a collective. “Illusion” EP is an eighties rock-inspired masterpiece where each vocal, sonic, and rhythmic maneuver sounds divine. The entire band contributes to creating such a majestic ambiance, delivering some of the best ideas and orchestrations you’ll hear on the contemporary alternative and indie scene. Their experience, knowledge, skills, and talent are on full display here, as The Mustard breaks all the rules and shapeshift boundaries of so many music genres to create an otherworldly listening experience worth repeating over and over again. It’s an incredible release you should immediately put on your radar. The EP is available on all streaming platforms. Don’t miss it!
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