Another resonating rock success from Portsmouth, UK-based band Noise Factory United, “Fractures” moves seamlessly from conversational post-punk intrigue into a hooky ardor, where spacey synths and twangy guitars meld with new-wave and disco-touched nostalgia. The bouncy bass line and shimmers of synths there — complemented by “so full of regret” vocal laments — traverse into an abrupt yet wholly sating conclusion. Catching our ears in previous years with tracks like “It’s not the first one that counts” and “MinotaurE,” Noise Factory United continue to thoroughly impress with “Fractures,” which comes ahead of their debut EP, Visions from the frontier, out next year.
Initial perspectives on individuality and consumerism excel within a charismatic vocal lead, combining with snarling guitar movements for a sound enjoyably reminiscent of a cross between early Art Brut and Parklife-era Blur as the “take to the street” vigor arises; the call-to-action aptly follows the hamsters-on-wheels equivalency to machinated, capitalist stripping of identity. A title-touting vocal exultation is particularly invigorating, as the synths move in alongside the stylish post-punk and art-rock guitar tones. The second half is particularly exemplary of the band’s tonal dynamics, as throbbing bass and peppy vocal enamoring pushes into that delectable disco-y synth/bass interplay — and an intriguing “politiko disko” finale, channeling the power of music in beckoning for unity while still embracing one’s personal uniqueness.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
