The Breakdown and Their Exhilarating Self-Titled EP

Bursting onto the London music scene with unmatched energy, The Breakdown is a melodic rock band that blends classic and contemporary rock. Formed during their teenage years, the quintet reunited by chance and released their debut album ‘Open The Barricades’. 

Now, The Breakdown regularly perform around London, delivering high-energy live shows, and experimenting with their sound their latest EP, ‘Breakdown’, features a collection of new songs, each with its own finesse but perfectly correlates for an epic listening experience. 

The opening track ‘Gaston’ is about toxic masculinity, poking fun at the attitude of big-shot men and encouraging not to take themselves too seriously. This is expressed in the lyrics: “Whatya doing standing there / Heavy lifting slopey shoulders can’t bare a new member that’s refused grain / Carbohydrates, proteins, holidays in Spain”. 

‘Gaston’ begins with a hesitating guitar riff that works in parallel to vocalist Mike Conell’s musings of “Cootchy Cootchy cootchy”. The instrumentals sporadically build up and then into an explosion of high energy with heavy distortion, embodying a punk-like attitude with the sound of grunge.  

A track straight from the 90's, ‘Modern Lies’ bursts to life with a lively drumbeat and dynamic guitar arrangements that at first glance has a pristine and clear cut. However, as the track progresses the DIY ethos kicks in and makes it more endearing. This is shown in Connell’s vocal stylings which are distorted through a subtle reverb giving ‘Modern Lies’ an alternative rock persona. 

‘EMERGENCY!’ is about misinformation in the media and the negative strain that comes with it and distancing oneself from it as expressed in the emotive lyrics: “Tightly wound, left your mind a haze / Where what’s left is right / And going on this new craze / Repeat an argument from someone wet / Praise be these immoral TV marionettes”. Told through a rambunctious drumbeat that dominates throughout with the familiar staggered guitar tempo that personifies immediate and often scares of breaking news.

‘Ultrasound’ is slower in tempo made up of a steady drumbeat and percussion that echo and complement soothing guitars underlaid with a solemn bass. The simplicity of the instrumentals perfectly frames Connell’s baritone vocals and haunting lyrics such as: “Port and starboard bound / Outflanked and run aground… push the button before we drown” leaving listeners on the edge of their seats. 

The final track, ‘Breakdown’, begins with a distinctive piano arrangement that remains constant throughout, accompanied by an enigmatic soundscape of birds and chatter becoming more intense and almost attacking the senses, acting as a metaphor to represent a fragile state of mind. Connell’s vocals are isolated and juxtapose the instrumentals, later joined by a softer female voice creating mystery and distortion. 

The instrumental arrangement transitions from a lone piano into an intense wave of heavy drums and dynamic guitars with added reverb to once more represent a fragile statement of mind. 

‘Breakdown’ is an exciting and diverse EP that shows The Breakdown at the height of the creative process, delivering high energy and a merger of genres enables them to captivate listeners from beginning to end. 

Ana Joy King

@anajoyking

Image: 'Breakdown’ Official EP Cover