EP Review: Head Down by Alcabean

Danish alt rock four-piece Alcabean release their new EP Head Down on 16^th March via We Are Suburban. Having already picked up a wealth of support through the release of their 2016 EP Real Time Fiction, Alcabean are gearing up to unleash their fuzz-filled, feedback-laden sound on the UK public once again. Combining elements of ‘90s alternative indie-rock made popular by the likes of Silversun Pickups, Hum and The Smashing Pumpkins with a contemporary sound produced by bands such as Drenge and Wolf Alice, Alcabean straddle the line skilfully between melancholia and euphoria.

It’s a storming record with title track and opener ‘Head Down’ kicking things off with a barrage of storming riffs before it develops into a triumphant and euphoric Silversun Pickups-esque number. There’s a more contemporary feel to the atmospheric ‘Blood Pose’, with a swagger and urgency that’s akin to an experienced alt rock band.

‘Still Remember’ has an infectious early 90s indie feel, the bassline hums in the background while the guitars come to the fore, lifting the mood and begging you to dance and sing along. There’s an upbeat Cure tone to the start of ‘Running’ before it develops into a full blown alt rock track, lovely stuff. ‘Biker Song’ has a nice sense of urgency, but it’s on ‘Why Keep Calling Home?’ that Alcabean really excel. The guitar work is just superb, it’s less noise rock more shoegaze. A real earworm that you can’t help but listen to on repeat.