Very well executed, caters for a vast range of tastes.
‘Kiss & Tell‘ is the debut EP from Glasgow/Edinburgh four-piece Oh Romance. The band’s music consists of a mixture of rock and alternative styles. This involves the powerful vocals from Alex Campbell who also plays guitar with Jamie Hamilton. They are accompanied by bassist Alex Cameron and drummer Blair Russell-Simpson. Together, the band have produced an incredible EP that doesn’t fail to demonstrate their immense individual talents and how they work so cohesively as a band. The 5 track debut compilation follows on from their debut single ‘Animals‘ which has a successful run including being played on BBC Radio One.
Are You Satisfied Yet?
The thing that stood out straight away was the band’s talent when it comes to lyric writing. There are several phrases that effectively paint the desired images within each track. ‘Kiss & Tell‘ begins with track ‘Are You Satisfied Yet?‘. This first tune is just under 3 minutes long and every second is filled with Campbell’s unapologetically truthful Scottish accent and addictive rock sounds. I mention his accent because it is refreshing to hear Scottish artists using their real sound and voice, and being proud of it. He sings “you complicate my mind, I’m intoxicated by your kind“. This lyric is a beautiful way of saying you’re attracted to someone, without using stereotypical descriptions like “fit” or “hot”. Hamilton’s captivating guitar skills also shine through. Roughly between 1:50 and 2:20, his enticing guitar work can be heard at the forefront.
Celebrity
Second tune ‘Celebrity‘ continues the excellently communicative words. This track focuses on the concept of celebrities and whether risks involved outweigh the potential benefits. One of these risks is the relationship with substances, “I’m ready to flirt with the overdose“. This wording implies an almost intimate and close connection with the idea of substances and pushing yourself to the edge. This is also followed by “wrap a car around the bend“. This is a way that several celebrities have died. I think the messaging in this song is very clear and I really like the way this has been done. Oh Romance have really emphasised that they are “sick and tired of chasing celebrities” and their influences in every aspect of life. Where these people have influence over clothing and music, the trends they push can also extend to the darkest of subjects including death.
Kiss & Tell
The title track, single, and currently most popular tune from this EP continues the rock theme but incorporates a gorgeous groove. By utilising Alex Cameron’s bass skills, this groove feel is very well executed. This mixture of sounds is seamlessly separated by Blair’s dynamic drumming abilities. The drum fills smoothly lead us from the verses into the heavier rock chorus. This track also includes some lovely lyricism, “you’re running circles at the back of my mind“. This describes a person occupying your mind all the time. This track, however, also discusses that the various aspects of this connection or relationship will be kept between them, “I was never one to kiss and tell“.
Call You Back
This fourth track discusses feelings of loneliness and the various mindsets when trying to get to know someone. “Everyone’s on their phone, I am here on my own” is a perfect description of feeling alone in a room full of people. When we meet someone we like, it’s common to think that negative emotions will disappear. However, as Oh Romance describe throughout this track, this isn’t always the case. The lonely feeling is replaced with defeat and deceit through the person’s lies. This is portrayed simply with the lyric “it doesn’t get easy when you’re lying to please me“. Due to these lies, there is then a reluctance to call the person back, “I tried to call you back, but I just don’t have the time“. One of the final lyrics in this amazing tune is “you’re just someone on my screen“. This is very effective in showing that the person we thought would change us is just simply another person. ‘Call You Back‘ is easily my personal favourite due to it’s extensive continuation of wonderful wording and very simple but easy listening melody. The simplicity of the music helps to emphasise the words.
Fever
The final track of this incredible EP is also the longest in duration. It is very guitar heavy throughout and it is definitely the heaviest rock sounding tune on the EP. Alex Campbell’s vocals are calm until the end of each chorus where he screams the words. Around 3 minutes in, the guitar riff builds up to the final chorus of the track which repeats the same format as the others. I think this song is the one on “Kiss & Tell” that I would be most excited to hear live. It will be interesting to hear how it sounds in various venues and how fans, and future fans, will react to it. ‘Fever‘ adds to Oh Romance’s versatility in their musical styles. It further proves how talented the four-piece are when it comes to creating a piece of work with music to cater for differing tastes and preferences.
This EP is one I’ll keep returning to. It caters for a vast range of tastes, even with only 5 songs. It definitely secures Oh Romance’s place in the Scottish rock and alternative music scenes. They’re not a band you want to miss, they’re destined to go on and complete an array of massive achievements. They’ll be playing tracks from this EP in their set at this year’s YNOT festival, which is incredible for a smaller local band.