Safest Spaces EP Review.
Safest Spaces is a real upgrade from Crater Face. Don’t get me wrong, I was a huge fan of Crater Face, but this new band’s more refined sound, and the juxta positioning of the stark vocals and the warm melodies creates a feeling of inertia. You feel you could listen to this EP and be absolutely fine with getting nothing done for a little while.
This EP evokes a feeling of reminiscence for a time that never happened. A feeling of longing for better times and the optimism that comes with moving on from the rut you may have been stuck in.
Track 1: Clarity
Clarity is an aptly named song. Because it perfectly juxta poses with the lyrics of the song. The song has a clear sound , with lovely slow melodic singing and a more confused and disjointed echoey guitar sound that I can’t get enough of. Like Ramshackle Glory meet The Hotelier.
The section of lyrics that really make this song for me is:
“I’ve not figured out what’s wrong
nothing in this head makes sense at all,
nothing in this head makes sense at all,
paint the walls with my skull”
This is a perfect example of the conflict between the title and sound of the song with the meaning behind the lyrics. This is my kind of music and I can see this song being a favourite with Safes Spaces fans!
This track gets a solid 7/10 kegs.
Track 2: Thumbs
This song brings a needed change of pace in the EP, even in a 3 track variation is key. Safest Spaces manage to keep it fresh but still have a very distinct sound with their work.
This song has the Ramshackle Glory vibe I mentioned earlier in the angry-shouty acoustic chorus. (Ramshackle Glory were an acoustic punk collective from America)
Thumbs has a Kegz-esque vibe to it , with floaty guitar and haunting melodies . it really drives home the pain from which this music was created from. I honestly this this song will become an anthem for those who feel the same.
My favourite lyrics from this song are:
“Introspection in hindsight is fucking useless
when you feel you can't change
compartmentalization;
the divide a precipice,
an abyss to succumb to”
This again hints at inertia, that inability to progress and feeling stagnant in life. The sound itself is lovely to listen to, but for me this EP is more than just the sound. It’s emotion makes it something greater.
This track gets another solid score of 7.5/10 Kegs
Track 3: Death Of Crater Face
This track brings a close to an era as well as a delightful EP
This track sounds much angrier than the other two. Which is why I think I prefer it to the others. Whilst I love calm music , there is something about the angry acoustic punk vibe that I can’t help but love.
My favourite lyrics from this song are:
“You were the closest thing myself that I think I ever felt
The closest thing to a home
You were both my womb and my cell
Your rain kept me cold and awake but it drenched me in the darkest of my days
I'll bury you in the ((Safest Spaces))
Death of Crater Face”
This is the Death Of Crater Face. I’m not sure what this song is about but it is elegiac , it’s lyrics as well as it’s angry and grief ridden sound makes you love it in the same way you love a sad film. I don’t think I’ve heard something this beautiful from such a small band in a very long time.
This track get’s a whopping 9/10 Kegs.
This EP get’s a cool 8/10 Kegs from us , and - in conclusion - if you don’t know Safes Spaces, Fucking listen to them. You won’t regret it. This is a fantastic EP and the only thing I may be able to fault it on is it’s production quality. It has a delightful lo-fi vibe to it , and whilst I like that in my music some people do not. It also leaves you longing for more, so I can’t wait for Safest Spaces next release!