REVIEW: Life Aquatic Band’s new EP ‘ Stuck in the Mud’
When given the chance to review Life Aquatic Band’s new EP ‘Stuck in the Mud’ I thought the band’s name rang somewhat familiar as I pressed play on the title track. This should come as no surprise, with the Sheffield quintet no doubt seeping into my consciousness via the Six Music airwaves. The high-energy five-piece have been praised by the station, with DJ Tom Robinson hailing the group for their “upbeat, sun-drenched and life-affirming music that bursts out of your speakers.”
The title track introduces the EP with an infectious tune as the band asks listeners, in hypnotic repetition: “Are you stuck in the mud?”. The groove of the song found me bopping my head and checking the soles of my shoes for muck as I internally debated the larger questions in life.
Lead single ‘Trains in the Summer Rain’ was my favourite of the collection, a softer, romantic musing of ‘sweet summer rain’ and doe-eyed promises to a lover (“there’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do”). The song was written by synth-player and vocalist Jazmine Kelly in Japan, inspired by the monsoon through which the work was crafted. The band stated: “its shimmering synths and pulsing beats capture both the exhilaration and unease of cycling through torrential rain.”
Despite the biblical downpours that inspired the lead single, Life Aquatic Band make music to bring sunshine to a dull day. The band claims inspirations from 70s New York No Wave and early-2000s Electroclash. The bounce and humour of the music immediately feel like a David Byrne homage, as the Talking Heads-esque groove take us through philosophising and funny lyrics. The EP’s title track mirrors the larger theme as the band explains: “It’s about feeling stuck and frustrated, but also discovering relief in unexpected ways, probably inspired by learning different types of therapy. We’ve always wanted to make positive music that helps people find happiness, and this time we explored a darker palette while making sure there’s still plenty of light and release running through it.”
The band claims to sit somewhere between DEVO, The B-52s, Peaches and LCD Soundsystem. As I pressed play on ‘Buggin Out’ (the only track featuring guitar on the EP), I felt that familiar No Wave pattern of high-energy beats, with a dose of paranoia. Vocals circle in anxiety as the line ‘I don’t feel so ordinary’ seems to come through gritted teeth, and feelings of ‘people looking at me’ are stuttered, looking over a tensed shoulder. Despite the jittery lyrics, the energy of the song is sure to get you dancing.
The rest of the record features the snappier, radio edits of the tracks- a clear push towards the airwaves. Having been unfamiliar with the band before this, I feel I’ve found a new soundtrack to welcome me towards sunnier days. Life Aquatic Band have curated their sound, with a little darkness over their primarily dancefloor-driven music. I found the homage to the 70’s No Wave a fun sonic immersion, making for a hypnotic listen of analogue loops, chanting vocals, and synths.
Vocalist and guitarist Ben Allen confirms the intentions of the music, as the EP has produced “songs that audiences can sing back from a first listen.” He goes on to discuss the style and progress of the work, making music that is “instantly memorable without relying on traditional pop structures- It feels like we’ve carved out our own space.”
The powers that be have spoken, with the NME praising the band as "The Psychedelic curveball you need in your life". So if you don’t take it from me, take it from them, Tom Robinson, Steve Lamacq, or Lauren Laverene- Life Aquatic Band might just be the soundtrack of your summer.
Words: Josie Reaney
