Leeds indie band Enfers have just released their debut EP 'Come When They Call Labour', a four-track EP that displays the band's passion for incorporating nostalgia with polished pop production.
'Awake' erupts with a colourful ensemble to introduce the listener to this four-track EP. The crisp production and attention to detail in the mixing helps elevate the track's clear cut melodies, providing strength and momentum to the chorus. The muffled echoing vocals in the background are subtle but adds texture that gives the euphoric depth mastered by artists like The 1975. 'The Circuit' is the quirkiest track on the EP, incorporating the rhythm guitar displayed in 'Awake' but with additional production in the vocals. The chopped vocals and chordal progression at the beginning reminded me of Supertramp mixed with a bit of Queen. There are moments where the vocals echo Roger Hodgson's melodic range in 'The Logical Song'; I would be interested to hear an Enfers' Supertramp cover because I think the vocal style and inflection is very similar. The track's overall structure and choice in melody feel nostalgic but refreshing, showcasing Enfers' style of bringing nostalgia back into modern-day pop music.
The penultimate track, 'Waiting Rooms', explores themes related to youth and regret wrapped in polished production. Released as a standalone single, the contemplative lyricism is realistic and will resonate with a wide audience. The vocals soar and are placed at the forefront of the mix to provoke an intimate stream of consciousness, with the absence of vocal harmonies in the verses directing all attention to the lyrics.
The final track came as a bit of a surprise as the introduction is quite jarring. When you listen to 'Heaven in A Wildflower', you can unquestionably hear the influence of Queen that underlies the record. Taken from a line in Blake's poem 'Auguries of Innocence', the song has a cyclical theme that transforms between verses. The layered harmonies and choice in chords are classic stylistic features attributed to Queen's work, with the swinging melodies gently guiding the listener to the final verse that concludes the track. The final few seconds of the EP leaves the listener in suspense as the song ends on a slight cliff-hanger. Despite the limitations of a four-track EP, the band have successfully incorporated classic nostalgic anthems with modern-day guitar pop. I would be interested to hear a longer body of work, as this EP was incredibly versatile and showcases some high-quality production.
Check out Enfers' EP 'Come When They Call Labour' in the links above or hear the EP in full on my Spotify Reviews Playlist (link in bio).
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