In a genre as jam-packed as alternative rock, bringing something different to the table is essential. Just look at today’s leading lights – Mallory Knox’s discography exudes heart and soul, Don Broco add funk and eighties influences to the typical rock formula, the list goes on. And after showing promise with support slots for Nothing But Thieves last year as well as recently being signed by LAB Records, all eyes are on Exeter quintet Witterquick to deliver with their debut EP Beneath The Spinning Lights.
And in opening track Soldiers, the talent and ambition Witterquick have in spades is totally and utterly apparent. Frontman Will Alford’s stunning falsetto which drives the verses could compete with Conor Mason’s (of Nothing But Thieves fame), and makes it totally apparent why Mason’s band chose Witterquick to share a stage with. Following that with an absolutely huge chorus and a guitar solo middle eight adds beefy and stylistic elements to the mix, and it’s refreshing to hear more members of a band given time to showboat than just the vocalist, as a lot of bands breaking through often do.
Slower ballads are also set to be a major staple of Witterquick’s discography judging by the inclusion of two in the five tracks that make up Beneath The Spinning Lights. The decision to order the tracks to go one after the other causes a bit of a lull in the EP’s pace, and it’s without a doubt felt the most with acoustic cut Wayward Signs. Its simplicity in its vocal and instrumental parts is not enough to hook anyone, let alone wow them, especially when following The Road, a more textured slice of gorgeous dreaminess and far and away the stronger ballad on the record.
But for the most part, this EP is a strong one, especially for a debut. While all bands in that top tier possess both style and substance, the focus usually leans more towards one. Witterquick have both style and substance and it’s represented effortlessly in slow-burning closer Rise. They also make a stab at a more pop-rock sound on Fade Out and the result wouldn’t sound out of place on one of Young Guns’ more guitar-oriented releases. Beneath The Spinning Lights may not immediately earn Witterquick a place in the big leagues, but it positively radiates potential. Translate that into unequivocal star quality in future releases, which they definitely can, and they’ll be a success story in no time.
7/10
For fans of: Young Guns, Mallory Knox, You Me At Six
Words by Georgia Jackson
‘Beneath The Spinning Lights’ by Witterquick is released on 17th June on LAB Records.
