FloodHounds have been on my radar for quite some time but it was only earlier this year when I was able to catch their headline show at Derby’s Hairy Dog. Unfortunately, time got away from me to review the gig but for a band I didn’t really know much about and knowing none of their material, the Sheffield/Derby outfit were nothing short of impressive.
So with “Near Life Experience”, we have their first release of 2024 and it’s a slice of unadulterated alt rock goodness. It’s a short, blustering affair which barely crosses the three-minute mark with the kind of swagger you’d take for granted on a Queens of the Stone Age or an upbeat Tigercub track. Full of fuzzy tones, it’s a snapshot of what FloodHounds sound like without relegating them to the field of “Every song sounds the same” as they blend fuzz rock, indie and grunge into a potent mix.
From the opening notes, there’s a vicious edge powered by guitarist Jack Flynn’s sharp chords which pave the way for Anna Melidone’s thick bass line which rumbles and snarls in equal measure, battering off Lauren Greaves’ drum work. Each hit of the cymbal punctures through the angst and frustration found in the sound, intentionally meant to reawaken and realign you. Meanwhile the drums then rev up to introduce the scuzzy guitars on the chorus as they mingle with the groove-filled bass.
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The topic of the song may not be original – it’s the mundanity of everyday life and a chance for the disengaged and disenfranchised to take hold of the reins. However, there’s an urgency in Flynn’s vocals as he spits them out, determined to give those that need and want it a bit of a push. As he chants “So dead” at various points, his delivery manages to make it sound like “Slow death” at the same time. Given the subject matter, for those who don’t respond and don’t take control, it is indeed a slow death.
Lastly, there’s the breakdown. It’s a drop of massive proportions as drums boom, bass swells and guitar fizzles, and it takes on an almost psychedelic tone before swiftly moving back into the gritty and grungy realm. Everything in the song is well-balanced and manages to breathe to ensure it’s an enjoyable slab of fuzzed-out cool rock. The sub-genres mix excellently and it’s delivered by three excellent musicians who form a tight unit. Deliberately designed to make you feel alive, “Near Life Experience” is an excellent gateway to FloodHounds.
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Header image by Jacob Flannery
“Near Life Experience” is out now
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