In Dynamics: Questions

Artist: In Dynamics
Title: Questions
Format Reviewed: MP3
Format Release: 10th March 2014
Reviewed By: Dan Stoten

It's always good when you hear music which challenges convention, and tries to forge new routes through the musical landscape. This is certainly something Brighton trio In Dynamics are doing in second EP Questions, due for release during March.

Described in the press information which came with the EP as a "darker, meatier offering" than their debut, what we have here is certainly a unique record which steps the pathway between 'completely out there' and 'commercial' really well.

Opener The House gives a good sight into what to expect from In Dynamics. It's a jagged, choppy track which begins calmly and slowly, before shifting into almost a jazzily upbeat chorus. Frontman Beau's voice, in the melodic chorus, reaches high notes beautifully, his voice almost twinkling over the gentle back vocal. The song is exceptionally complex in it's delivery: indeed, in the 3 minutes and 41 seconds it changes direction and style so many times you could almost be listening to a couple of songs! There's more variety in the first track than there are in some whole albums. It's a brave approach and one that in The House the band pull off well.

Unfortunately the same can't be said with such vehemence for the second song on this four-track EP, entitled An Atheist Can't Be An Atheist. It's a bit of a messy song, with jagged and choppy guitar wedges not suiting the vocal style well. A little refinement wouldn't go amiss: but it certainly shows the technical ability the band has.

Waking Life is a return to form, though, another light and twinkling track, guitar dancing and vocal again sparkling across the gentle, soft melodies created. There are more driven and harder-edged parts to the song but ultimately this is melodic alt-rock. It's a good song and one which has that balance of complexity yet accessibility nailed.

The last track here, Grace, takes all the best elements of the three other songs on the EP and turns them up to eleven. Grace has a brilliantly angular, jarring opening, with the guitar throughout the track crossing from this sharpness to melodic smoothness on a regular basis; the vocal being stunningly beautiful as ever, and the track offering a staggering elegance at certain points. It is a very well judged track and without doubt the standout song here.

Overall, In Dynamics have produced a strong EP here, and one which should be celebrated for it's individuality. It's a further marker of a band with a lot of potential.


Questions is out on 10th March