If you’ve been waiting for a band to bridge the gap between heavy-hitting grit and soulful sophistication, Freya And The Vikings just handed you the blueprint. Their second single, “Eyeliner,” is a high-octane introduction to what this Australian seven-piece is capable of, and frankly, it makes the typical four-piece rock outfit sound a bit thin by comparison. The centerpiece of the track is the incredible interplay between their three female vocalists. It’s an intended, three-way conversation that results in some of the most luxuriant vocal harmonies I’ve heard in the modern rock scene recently. There is a soul here that feels lived-in and authentic, delivering a rich texture that wraps around the listener. It’s rare to find a rock band that treats vocals with this much harmonic complexity without losing the edge that makes the genre work.
On the instrumental side, the “Vikings” part of the name starts to make total sense. The guitar work is marvelous, offering a buffet of powerful riffs, melodic themes, and gliding leads, with those layers working together without overwhelming each other. In the meantime, the chord progressions and synth pads are vividly audible, washing over the mix to provide a sense of scale and atmosphere that feels so huge. The rhythm section provides the glue that keeps this massive sound from spinning out of control. You get warm-sounding basslines that favor groove and depth over simple repetition, paired with dynamic and heavy drumming. It’s got that pocket that makes you want to move, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice a danceable groove just because you’ve got loud guitars. With a 15-song debut album on the horizon later this year, “Eyeliner” serves as a stylish mission statement. It’s a track that demands to be played loud, preferably while you’re driving too fast or getting ready for a night you might not remember. For any modern rock fan looking for a band that actually has the powerhouse chops to back up their ambition, Freya And The Vikings are the real deal.
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