The Twang // Neontwang

The time where a band was known for making one specific genre is over. Perhaps this is a good thing because it gives the music scene worldwide more diversity and a more interesting character. A lot of bands start experimenting with different genres, and some of them come up with a unique sound that just feels right. The Twang is definitely trying to be such a band by combining dozens of different instruments and genres on their newest record ‘Neontwang’. Sadly enough, it doesn’t feel right. It rather feels as if the band’s got off track and is trying to find its way throughout the interesting new landscape of the 21st century music scene.

Not that the album is terrible. If I gave you this impression now, I owe you an apology. Listen to ‘Larry Lizard’, ‘Happy Families’ and ‘Bywyd Da’ separately and you’ll hear some kind of potential. You’ll hear this band has put a lot of effort in their new album and that they love what they’re doing. The only problem with this album is that none of the songs stands out after hearing it. When you’ve reached the end of it and try to remember what you’ve been listening to, you’ll see that it’s hard to summarise what this band stands for, except for the fact that they’ve used tons of instruments. Pianos, violins, bass guitars, electro, everything’s in there. There’s a lot of potential to score the point if you succeed in combining these timbres to a terrific symphony, but The Twang seems to have missed the shot this time.

Neontwang is an album that doesn’t need an attentive listen. If you’re looking for some music to play while you’re cooking, reading or studying, you might’ve perhaps found your thing. If you are looking for an album to focus on and carry you away, you’ll probably feel the same we do; let down. Nothing’s ever terrible and tastes can differ, but this album just won’t catch your attention. Neither did it catch ours.

5.5/10 Yarreth