“Songs From The End Of The Pier” is the latest release by Neovenator, an English quartet based in London. Arriving after their critically acclaimed EP released in 2022, this debut full-length album carries ten outstanding compositions that will satisfy anyone looking for cleverly assembled and flawlessly performed music. Soundwise, Neovenator combines many different but complementary music genres to illustrate such rich and luxurious sounds. Perhaps psychedelic music comes to mind, such as psych-rock or psych-pop, but you’ll unquestionably stumble upon some of the finest properties borrowed from other styles. The fundamentals of art-rock, post-punk, glam rock, garage, and new wave are just some of the genres you’ll notice, but don’t be surprised if you hear many more along the way. Neovenator uses all these additional elements as more than necessary enhancements, accentuations, decorations, and other details to uplift their music to new heights while simultaneously remaining loyal to the primary sonic direction. Therefore, these experimentations with many different but complementary styles resulted in a comprehensive collection of catchy, memorable, engaging psych-rock songs that will satisfy even the pickiest music enthusiasts.
From the onset, you’ll realize these folks are not joking around with their music. Each composition arrives with a cleverly assembled structure, adorned with many intricate segments, brilliant ideas, and marvelous musicianship. They thoroughly planned every vocal, sonic, and rhythmic maneuver, making “Songs From The End Of The Pier” such an enjoyable listening experience worth revisiting over and over again. This epic sonic journey begins with “Spaceship,” a powerful and catchy opening track that carries some of the finest orchestrations you’ll hear in a while. The guitar and synth interplay reigns supreme, and all those tight riffs and lush melodies are impossible to ignore. Together, they form a perfect backdrop for all the vocals to shine upon. In the meantime, the equally intricate low-ends and groovy rhythmic patterns keep everything in line while dictating groove and tempo. The vocal arrangements emphasize all these instrumentation with such precision and finesse by seamlessly balancing low, mid, and high notes. It’s such a marvelous song that promises so many remarkable moments throughout the entire album. Of course, Neovenator continues in the same fashion with the tracks like “Effing Bohemians,” “Ollie Ollie Oxen Free,” “Politics Is War / Politics Is Art;” and “Unus Mundus.” Their unique, fresh, diverse, and versatile sonic output and ideas are vividly hearable on these songs. Each one of them differs in mood and ambiance, but together create a cohesive whole, making “Songs From The End Of The Pier” such an enjoyable listening experience worth repeating over and over again. For example, “Effing Bohemians” continuously levitates between art-rock, post-punk, and punk rock, but with all those psychedelic themes, melodies, harmonies, and other sonic delicacies delivered on synths while “Ollie Ollie Oxen Free” is more a bluesy psychedelic rock song where the beforementioned interplay between guitars and keys dominate. Still, those riffs, chord progressions, harmonies, melodies, themes, and leads do not overwhelm the rhythm section. Quite the contrary, Neovenator thought about everything so all those detailed, audible, warm-sounding basslines provide more than necessary heaviness, clarity, and depth while the tastefully arranged, flawlessly performed, and well-accentuated beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics offer dynamics. The same goes with “Politics Is War / Politics Is Art,” which is immediately reminiscent of the late seventies and early eighties punk rock anthem but with more psychedelic and rock ‘n’ roll elements attached to it. The band slows down the pace with “Unus Mundus,” a straightforward psychedelic rock track that carries many art-rock elements along the way.
Neovenator never ceases to amaze with their ideas, and compositions such as “We Got Killers,” “Big Crown,” “Witches Of Soho,” and “Launch Day” not only showcase their dedication to the craft, but also their tremendous experience, knowledge, talent, and skills. Just when you think these experienced musicians spent all their ideas and sonic maneuvers, they surprise you with another barrage of catchy guitar works, mesmerizing synths, and hypnotic rhythmic sequences. The exceptional vocal performance commands attention while guiding the listening apparatus from scratch to finish. Those excellent vocal arrangements are empowered with additional back vocals and singalongs, more than important details that not only spice things up but elevate each segment and instrumentation to new heights. The flawless balance between low, mid, and high notes demonstrates the lead vocalist’s impressive vocal range that effortlessly decorates everything the remainder of the band intended to achieve with this material. The vocals are passionate, soulful, sincere, confident, and powerful yet they do not overpower the instrumentations. Quite the contrary, they synchronize with the rest of the band, providing such an incredible listening experience that immediately grabs you by the collar and refuses to let you go long after the last notes and beats end. Of course, the comprehensive collection of guitar riffs, chord progressions, harmonies, melodies, themes, leads, and other sonic delicacies tastefully collide with mesmerizing synth maneuvers, acting as an adequate backdrop for all the vocals to shine upon while all those low-ends and beats act as a backbone, holding everything together. This epic sonic voyage closes with “Seeing To The Buds,” a perfect closing track that encapsulates everything Neovenator stands for. It also invites you to repeat this travel through Neovenator’s expansive sonic universe once again.
“Songs From The End Of The Pier” is an otherworldly experience, a psychedelic masterpiece that wraps around your listening apparatus and refuses to let go. These experienced musicians poured heart and soul into their debut full-length album, ensuring this collection of songs will appeal to even the pickiest listeners. It’s one of those epic debuts you should immediately place on your music radar. The album is available on all streaming platforms. Don’t miss it!
Thoughts Words Action 