Published | 15/12/19
Words | Matthew Beckett - White
Photo | BCNR website
The hotly-tipped seven-piece performed at the Brudenell Social Club as part of the aptly named 'BEAK>ENDER', a weekender curated by Bristol band BEAK>.
Their set began with a currently-unreleased track, containing self-referential lyrics, "It's Black Country out there" and a tongue-in-cheek reference to the hype surrounding the fellow London band and Speedy Wunderground contemporaries - "Have you seen black midi!?". Over a drum beat by Charlie Wayne, singer and guitarist Isaac Wood conjures a grating clamour of discordant noise, his guitar yelping and shrieking before coming to an abrupt halt. An unsettling and disorientating melody follows - played by violinist Georgia Ellery and sax guy Lewis Evans - rising and falling unpredictably. Isaac delivers the track's lyrics in his familiar speak-sung manner; his voice wavers and trembles, conveying a semi-theatrical intensity of emotion.
Guitarist Luke Mark initiated the second song of the set - debut single 'Athen's, France' - with a singular piercing note, joined moments later by Charlie and bassist Tyler Hyde. Luke, the band's most recent addition, provides an extra layer to the sonic palette, which proved particularly effective during the song's climactic outro. 'Athen's, France' is a meandering journey of a song, consisting of numerous sections stitched masterfully together. The track's lyrics, combining pop-culture references with a narrative portrayal of genophobia, may not originally stand out as prime sing-along material, yet the crowd relished in accompanying Isaac's pained cries of "She can't believe I'm so afraid of sheets/And what's in-between".
'Sunglasses', the band's second and most recent single, was another crowd favourite. From the very start of the track - marked by an ambient sustained note from keyboard player May Kershaw - the audience's captivation was clear. After devolving into a cacophonous free-jazz climax, a reassuringly unwavering riff propels the track forward through a multitude of references, ranging from Scott Walker to The Fonz and Kanye. The crowd echoed Isaac's assured declarations of "I am invincible in these sunglasses" with great conviction.
The performance concluded with another as yet unreleased track. Known by fans as 'Wet Sheets' - a title stemming from its uncomfortably intimate refrain of "My bed sheets are wet" - this song sees Isaac trading in his usual Sprechgesang vocal style for a more conventional sung delivery.
Violin and saxophone melodies, played by Georgia and Lewis respectively, seem to melt into each other as they harmonise, ceasing only to emphasise the track's opening lyrics. A gradual build-up leads to an impassioned and explosive climax; Isaac's fervent screams barely surfacing above a distortion-laden instrumental.
Black Country, New Road's live shows are intense and exhilarating; Isaac's frantic stage presence in particular, combined with each member's impressive virtuosity, makes for an immensely engaging performance. Make sure you don't miss out.
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