Current Lies opens with an ominous wind blowing, signalling the entry of the ambient, jangling first track Prologue. It is a short but sweet guitar driven instrumental that eases us into the main body of the EP. Underscoring the more full bodied bite of the other four tracks.

The title track Current Lies starts out solemn and subdued but bursts into a wall of guitars, resolving the repeated line of the intro ‘take it in, breath it out’, into a glittering, triumphant chorus that sparkles with synth sounds and flying melodies. This is a song of wonder and enchantment, a perfect opening to the work of The Nighthawk Experience. The production is exceptionally clean and the instruments well recorded. It is interesting to hear a through-composed song, especially so near the beginning of the EP. Current Lies bucks the trend of the usual binary mode of verse/chorus song writing and instead builds throughout; a sweeping thread that twists and turns from start to finish.

Human Nature has the feel of a slightly more classic rock oriented song, the acoustic guitar of the opening being reminiscent of Led Zep style folk homage. However, the chorus lifts off to stratospheric heights. The range of vocals displayed here is impressive and the intermingling with the lead guitar line helps to build the sparkling soundscape. The largeness of sound on Human Nature stands out comparatively between the verses and the choruses. It is this contrast that keeps the track flowing. The drumming is also particularly strong, sometimes dropping out entirely then punching back in with great effect.

A stand out from the EP is fourth track Growing To Be Us. The percussion and bass keep a steady groove with the wistful and brooding verses. The chorus chords are pleasingly unpredictable and as in the other tracks from The Nighthawk Experience the choruses do their job exceptionally well, punching to higher highs and pushing the momentum of the song. What really makes Growing To Be Us special is the headlong plunge into the bridge. The particularly beautiful melody and anxious desperation of the vocal line hammer home the bitter-sweet sentiment of the track.

Lastly comes the climactic Whose Entitlement. There is a pleasingly anarchic feel to this riff driven behemoth, a schizophrenic collection of parts that masterfully shape into a well-rounded and coherent commentary on modern online discourse and opinion politics. Perhaps more of a return to Scott McDonald-Bull’s metal leanings, it is clear that he has a great command over this genre. The use of spoken word segments and chanted backing vocals lend a great deal to the entertainment value and overall narrative of the song.

The Current Lies EP delivers a varied and punchy blend of technicality, raw emotion and social commentary. All within a spectacularly produced and thoroughly well thought out concept. Hopefully this is the first of many more releases from The Nighthawk Experience. Keep a look out for Current Lies set to be available from the 22nd of May.

• 1
  Head Like A Hole
• 2
  Horror Story
• 3
  Fraser Ross
• 4
  Fur Patrol
• 5
  Michelle Rounds
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  Devilskin
• 8
  Coridian
• 9
  The Boondocks
• 10
  Late to Chelsea

• 
  LOST BiRD @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
• 
  Just Janie @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
• 
  Dream Chambers @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024
• 
  The Phoenix Foundation @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024

• 1
  APT.
  ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
• 2
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
  Gracie Abrams
• 6
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 7
  SAILOR SONG
  Gigi Perez
• 8
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 9
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 10
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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