EP Review - DELAIRE THE LIAR - ‘EAT YOUR OWN’
REVIEW BY: Georgia Gutterson
SUPPORT FOR DELAIRE THE LIAR
“Reminiscent of Marmozets, and even At The Drive-In.”
DIY Magazine (UK)
“Angular but mad hooky. Killer!”
Daniel P Carter, BBC Radio 1 Rock Show (UK)
“Your new favourite band.”
Upset (UK)
"Truly excellent."
Kerrang! (UK)
“Equal parts eccentric and emotional.”
Alternative Press (UK)
It’s not an easy feat these days for artists to construct a sound that is original, compelling and enjoyable all at the same time – but London punk rockers Delaire the Liar are proving it can certainly still be done with their brand-new EP ‘Eat Your Own’. With each of the six tracks possessing their own powerful individuality, it’s an unpredictable and exciting listening experience, and one that will undoubtedly see the band’s recognition soar within the global punk scene.
The EP begins with the poignant and theatrical introduction ‘NO ENTRY’, instantly showcasing the vocal magnificence of frontman Ffin Colley alongside a simple yet eerie piano. Setting up the undeniably dark and frantic theme that presents itself throughout the EP with lyrics like “I couldn’t recognise how hard it had been just to keep yourself alive”, this opening track sends a haunting chill down your spine. This then seamlessly leads into the killer single ‘FURNACE’, which has gotten some significant and deserving attention since its release earlier this year. With its quick, sharp and unforgettable lyrical hook (“Are you hurting? Are you cursive? Where’s your mercy? Are you drunk?”), as well as the contrasting of strong male and female vocals, and the heavy, unforgiving instrumentals, ‘FURNACE’ depicts a desperate narrative of realising that someone you love is in pain and is attempting a way out, but you’re refusing to let that happen: “Your kindness, you've earned it, but your body a furnace, I won't let you burn in it.” It’s heartbreaking, haunting, poetic, disturbing and beautiful all at the same time. The following track ‘NO THANKS’ is a perfect continuation of the narrative, but this time we’re presented with a different perspective and a new side to the story, with an awesome, slightly distorted guitar riff kicking it off. Delaire the Liar certainly don’t have any trouble coming up with memorable vocal hooks either – the melodies of almost every chorus on the EP are anthem-like, slightly reminiscent of emo rock bands such as My Chemical Romance and Pierce the Veil, yet at the same time new and refreshing, nearly incomparable to anything we’ve heard before.
Painting even more of the picture we’ve come to visualise, the following track ‘HALLOWEEN’, also the first single released from the EP, is another evocative viewpoint of the central theme of self-harm and emotional suffering, with lyrics that beg: “I would trade anything, you can take my life instead, cause I hear hell ain't all that bad”. The song is like one last desperate attempt at trying to stop this loved one from hurting themselves, as the next track ‘NO ACCIDENT’ – continuing the ‘NO’ title pattern of every second song on the EP – is about it being too late, set in a hospital room and the person is clinging onto their life by a thread. A gorgeously soft song with a lone guitar (until a heavy breakdown at around the three-quarter mark), the song once again hits us with heartbreaking, begging lyrics: “All I know is that if all I had to offer was to suffer in your place, I’d bury myself the same day.” Concluding the EP is the unexpected, heavy and vigorous ‘DOG’, which steps away from the main storyline and delivers a more spiteful tone, clearly directed at a different party this time: “Boys like you should be afraid of me; I am not your friend”. It’s a refreshing and energising way to finish an EP that is otherwise very emotional and dark; and perhaps it’s hinting at what the band might be up to next.
‘Eat Your Own’ is an impressive and captivating EP from Delaire the Liar, and they have come an enormously long way from their last EP released in 2018 ‘Not Punk Enough’. With their musical talent, songwriting excellence and overall unique, sensational sound, it’s only a matter of time before they take the punk rock world by storm.
DELAIRE THE LIAR are:
Ffin Colley
Hannah Watts
Em Lodge
Chaz Tomlinson
