Deriving their influences from the realms of electronica, punk and stoner music, MUX will be releasing their 100% independent EP ‘Can You See Who?’ at the end of February. Like most bands, MUX must be experiencing the pressure of having to prove a lot in a short space of four tracks, however they successfully take your ears on an undeniably interesting journey – in directions that you or I wouldn’t have predicted.
For instance, they kick things off with the first track ‘MDMA’. Yes, a bit on the nose, but it sets the tone for what, I’d imagine, MUX are all about. It begins with subtle and minimal strumming of an electric guitar and establishes their vocal tones, before we’re suddenly hit with an extreme whaling and whining of the same guitar over a foreboding bassline. The layers start to deepen and play-off one another as it builds gradually throughout the track as we’re taken to an interesting direction in the bridge. Straight away, you’ve got to admit: for a completely independent band, we’re going to be taken for an eyebrow-raising ride.
By the time you get to the second track, ‘Gold and Prozac’, you can’t help but find the sound of the vocals ever-so-slightly familiar. And yet, you can’t quite put your finger on it. Nevertheless, the heavily-distorted bassline harkens you back towards the darker realms of Muse and I’m willing to bet it will sound right-decent on a good sound system. It’d resonate throughout your body and bones.
‘Teenage Father’ is without a doubt the punkier of the four tracks and answers the question of ‘what would punk and electronica sound like put together?’ Spoilers: it works. It’d make for a cracking closing song during a live set in which everyone would be off their feet, but not before we experience the weird, but brilliant, Stray. The song maintains the soundscape of electronic stoner music set in a neon cowboy wasteland. Trust me, close your eyes and give this track a go, and you will be transported to The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly meets Only God Forgives starring Ryan Gosling.
Overall, ‘Can You See Who?’ is an EP with a very specific sound which tries its best to break genre-boundaries and defy conventions. However, due to how specific of a genre MUX are presenting themselves as, it might not be for everyone and you might not listen to it back to front a million times over. But for a debut EP, released entirely off their own back, I can comfortably confirm that this is some impressive work and I look forward to seeing where they go next.
Words – Chris Hambling
