Listen to ... Average Life Complaints – Fictitious Headlines
Near-dystopian noise rock that both saddens and delights.
Consider yourself introduced to Brixton post-punk five-piece Average Life Complaints. A pandemic-born band that wears its pessimism on its sleeve.
The band shares the same nihilistic undertones as many that I’ve shouted about on Rave Reviews, but with a sound that more closely resembles – if anything – the patient, balanced delivery of CIVIL PARTNERSHIP. And though Fictitious Headlines might not morph and warp like the almost satirical Good Morning Britain, it’s just as potent – with the most subtle of nods to post-punk orignators of the 70s and 80s.
For all the artistic flair and experimentation that some artists strive for – that’s not a knock on the band’s clear creativity – what stands out here is simple and clear delivery done well.
Every layer, instrument and section reeks of purpose and presence; there’s no fat to be trimmed off here. Just as the runtime doesn’t overstay its welcome, by the second verse, your interest is piqued and you become curious about what else the band is capable of.
But it’s a simple track in structure only. The lyrics are simplistic, but impactful; the prominent sound – of reverb-soaked guitars – is huge, but everlasting. Even the small flourishes peppered throughout Fictitious Headlines – such as the growing drum fills in the second verse, or the echoing horns that add a splash of texture – add something meaningful to it; making them all the more impactful in the process. Well, I say a horn: it could be an accordion, harmonica – I’ve no idea, frankly.
There’s an overwhelming wave of noise at the core of this track; one that every element seemingly extends out from. The silences, verse breaks and eerie conclusion are all the stronger and more emphatic for the enduring soundscape that Average Life Complaints sustain throughout the track’s duration.
If you’re after a piece of near-dystopian noise that seeks to bring a slice of shoe gaze back to life, look no further. Head over to the band’s Instagram – and check out ours, while you’re there.