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PlasticGroove - Single Review: Me and You

16 Aug 2018 // A review by butch181

Me and You by Wellington's PlasticGroove is a track that you need to be prepared for. Being unprepared will lead to a shock that will have your heart rate elevated for a reasonable length of time to come. The track starts with some high intensity, unrelenting, undulating synths. The tone used does come off as rather abrasive the first time around and creates a slight sense of unease, but as the track progresses you realise it would actually come down to the mix used for the track; more than just a little uneven, the synths have been made the focal point of the track, overpowering the guitars and vocals.

Like a bar of soap made by combining the scraps of other soap bars, Me and You actually feels like a Frankenstein’s Monster of riffs; switching from an 80’s Bowie influenced track to something closer to The Smiths, before returning to the high intensity synths and having a rapid build with distortion that disappears (there is almost an electronic Norwegian Viking metal feel at the 1:10 mark).

Each element certainly has positive aspects, but they fail to properly fit together. Reducing the presence of the synths in the mix will certainly create a better balance in future tracks, as will reducing the number of riff changes; especially with a track length of 2:50.

Overall, if you ignore the overbearing synths, and unusual Viking metal addendum, Me and You has a reasonably solid foundation, and could really be split into three separate songs. It as an upbeat pace and a positive vibe, that still gets the head moving to the rhythm. The vocal element is also enjoyable; nothing too out of the ordinary, but a clear ability to hit and hold a note, as well as producing some lovely harmonies in the chorus. Almost coming off like an 80’s adaptation of Marilyn Manson in the beginning, there is a clear attempt from PlasticGroove to create something different; to not follow the usual rules. Kudos to them for not being afraid to experiment.


Review written by Alex Moulton

 

About PlasticGroove

PlasticGroove are a retro futurist Kiwi band from Wellington, New Zealand. A multi instrumentalist attack combines 80's new wave and modern rock influences into a toe tapping, head banging, butt shaking frenzy.




Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for PlasticGroove

Releases

Feel
Year: 2016
Type: EP

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