At a cursory glance, EADES are an inventive post-punk band. Look again and their story is far more expansive and nuanced.
Moonlighting as poster people of the ‘post-post-punk’ movement, the Leeds five-piece stylistically occupy the same aperture as the late 2010 sprechgesang renaissance, however with a surprising self-awareness, they actively point fingers at this discourse, laughing gaudily at the non-arable chunk of land that UK post-punk has so fondly settled upon. This duality presents itself as charming and mostly entertaining self-pastiche that highlights their own exhibitionism, reinforced by a handful of members member being part of the aforementioned prolific British new wave (Far Caspian, English Teacher, Vraell), and their sonic similarity to their contemporaries.
Completing the facade with the rattle of a crunch guitar, heavy use of floor tom rolls and none-too-subtle twangy bass fills, EADES debut album ‘Delusion Spree’ holds a cracked mirror up to the world they occupy, and embarks on a broadly futile mission to repair that very mirror.
Apathy, diminishing mental health and constant reinvention of self has become synonymous with EADES creative output. Although usually delivered to our ears by the abrasive lullaby talk-sing of a vaguely charismatic frontman, with his regional drawl interlacing loose socio-political observations into a monotonous rhythm, EADES knows to act otherwise.
Lead single ‘Reno’ brims with calculated noise and endearing swing, whilst lead vocalist Harry Jordan contemplates the ephemeral landscape of relationships and addiction in the fizzing ‘Ever Changing’. From only a handful of tracks, ‘Delusion Spree’ exercises a sense of freedom, making it a genuinely fun listen that echoes the novelty of when The Jam released ‘Sound Affects’ in 1980; daring, subversive and tight as an over-stretched snare.
‘Smoking Hour’ brings in the delicate hum of gang vocals that feel like a B-side to the ‘School Of Rock’ soundtrack, whilst title track ‘Delusion Spree’ taps into a head-nodding, more emotive cadence where Jordan loudly shares his ropey headspace. Lily Fontaine (synths and percussion) gladly offers her vocals on the post-party ‘I’m Holding Back Your Hair’, which serves as a perfect moment to spotlight their multi-hyphenate instrumentalist (also English Teacher’s vocalist), and bring fresh urgency to their howling punk.
‘Delusion Spree’ is a modern remedy, a sardonic overview of the culture whilst knowingly contributing to it. It makes for an album that sometimes requires more thinking than listening, circumnavigating the specious terrain of social friction and Gen Z mental health discourse with a wry grin.
The new issue of So Young is out now! Issue Thirty-Six features interviews with Wet Leg (Print Cover), Jockstrap (Online Cover, below), Black Country, New Road, Metronomy, NewDad, Teeth Machine, ENUMCLAW, Been Stellar, Blue Bendy, BODEGA, Catcher and more. Order your copy here or read the digital edition below.