Le Rox, a DIY punk outfit that brings together members originally from the UK, Brazil and Venezuela has dropped their debut EP Homesick with Red Tape Records. Considering the array of origins you can tell how the title and the inspiration came about. Entirely self-produced and self-recorded, the unfiltered feeling is something you can feel in your core. A largely punk-driven group that brings in elements of hardcore and metal, their sound is a emotional maelstrom. The entire EP is gut-wrenching, with several songs that encompass a spiral into dark places.
‘Pain Relief’ is an ode to destructive drinking. The instrumental starts off spiralling, with heavy punk riffs and gravelly, loud vocals from Laura. The bass really shines closer to the end where the vocals cut out and it seems like everyone gets a shining moment. The return of the spiral instrumentals as the lyrics claim to be “free”, but this really hits the point of addiction home – you think you’re free but you’re still spiralling.
The way ‘God’s Run’ immediately keeps to the circle pit tempo shows such an impressive connection to every aspect of their songs. The breakdown section of it has a satisfying rhythm that does a perfect job of splitting the song tempo before ramping right back up. The lyrics are nihilistic and angry.
What makes ‘Not You’ a particularly interesting song is not just the tone shift from aggression to something softer, but the way the lyrics get much sadder. The complete tempo shift does do something to show the range Le Rox has, with guitar riffs that almost sound like violins. The instrumentals expand so much they almost drown out the vocals, creating a sense of dissociation.
My absolute personal favorite, because I always love a heavy song with a hip sway sound, is ‘Suffocater’. It has a dance energy that shifts into a deep and dreamlike sound, unlike anything else on the EP. The ebb and flow of the intensity of the instruments also creates an interesting thread to follow. The dual vocals are such a cool surprise, coming across like an inner voice. The entire song has everything I like: something to two-step along with, and an absolutely stunning headbang moment.
The finale to the EP, ‘Don’t Wanna’ has a much more hardcore/rock feel than any of the other songs. Starting with a steady, marching pace that gives way to epic powerful sections, with explosive vocals. The climax isn’t hopeful or upbeat; it comes to a close with a harsh finality. The vocals drop off before the instruments as they twist into a looping and hazy trail, giving the entire album a fade-to-black ending.
Homesick is the kind of EP that takes you on a daunting ride. The seamless style-blending shows the band’s flexibility, and the way Le Rox show no shame and bare every ounce of feeling in their sound makes this a must-listen. They bring undeniable beauty from their DIY production, with the way the entire experience feels authentic. There are no false promises or assurances, and that makes every second worthwhile.
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