Don Broco - Amazing Things Album Review

 

Diversity and change are often contentious and polarising concepts within music. Not everyone can be pleased with repetition which is why a different approach is sometimes welcomed. On the flip side, fans of an artist or band can feel apprehensive about change and need the familiarity of what made them fall in love with the music in the first place. In the case for Bedford boys Don Broco, their latest output Amazing Things shows the band at their most honest and open to redesign and it's not necessarily a bad thing - in fact it could be the best choice they have made.

Amazing Things draws from many eclectic branches stemming from the music tree and whilst it can seem overwhelming sampling a number of styles, for alt-rockers Don Broco it separates them from the pack. Leading up to the release of Amazing Things, the quartet gave fans a glimpse of their transition with the unorthodox Manchester Super Reds No.1 Fan and whilst it appeared a step away from previous efforts Technology and Automatic, it merely was a piece of the puzzle yet to be fitted into Amazing Things.

The 12-song effort instantly explodes with Gumshield, a sharp stab at electronic sonics melded with hard rock, creating a peculiar blend whilst not straying too far away from Don Broco's previously iconic rock sound.

Endorphins is a head turning amalgamation of pumping percussive nuances provided by drummer Matt Donnelly, crunching guitar riffs and melancholic melodies which are subtly planted throughout, an aspect which sparks comparisons with contemporaries Sleep Token.

Whilst Amazing Things is light on mainstream potential, it more than makes up for that with its mature and intelligent musicality. One True Prince unashamedly shares similarities with alt-metal outfit Deftones, further proving Don Broco's natural ability to take inspiration from an array of genres without overstepping the mark of duplicating an original sound.

Front man Rob Damiani exhibits some of his finest vocal displays, especially in the haunting Anaheim. The four minute track is more of a voyage, filled with sombre atmospherics and enough space to allow for reflection and welcomed down time.

On the other end of the spectrum is Uber, a synth filled jaunt which harmlessly accompanies angst filled guitar and an even more angst filled Damiani, audibly gritting through his teeth "I don't give a f**k if the world turns brown..." implementing his disdain towards racism, siting an experience he had with specific drivers in America. Not only is it the most potent track lyrically on the record, but sonically it is the most well constructed.

Don Broco have never been afraid to protray their jovial side and Bruce Willis is at the forefront of Amazing Things' playfulness. Iconic quote "Yippee-ki-yay motherf**ker" is the glue that binds this roller coaster of a song together. Bruce Willis flits through every genre imaginable without allowing itself time to overstay its welcome. The contagious bounce throughout the track is enough to forgive Broco for the incoherent narrative the song presents.

Amazing Things closes on Easter Sunday, a gut wrenching cry for help, particularly regarding the frustrations towards innocent lives being wasted, possibly a nod in the direction of the pandemic. Whilst it's a melancholic way to call time on Amazing Things, it puts things into perspective and allows the listener to comprehend the genre spanning journey they have just completed.

Amazing Things is deserving of its name. Don Broco have bared all with no repercussions. They have injected their personality throughout with great success and this is an exciting new chapter for band which has put in the graft for a decade. Don Broco will reap their rewards with die-hard fans finding solace in the fact the four piece are only getting better and newer fans entering at the most pivotal stage, welcomed with a potential album of the year.

Rating: 9/10