Contrast, Less Than Zero – EP review
Kaya Strehler reviews the newest offering from Australian four-piece, Contrast. It’s got something to do with desserts, apparently:
Melbourne-based Contrast have followed up the release of their single, Pipe Dreams, with an EP that I would describe as similar to a Panna Cotta.
It kind of looks like all the other desserts, it kind of tastes like nothing too special and it’s kind of a bit unimaginative.
BUT… hear me out! Panna Cotta is one of those unassuming desserts that, the more you eat it, the more you realise ‘Holy Hell! This shit is smooth and tastes like creamy heaven!’
Upon first listen I was not blown away by Less Than Zero. I initially thought it sounded like just another Aussie garage band who will move to London to follow their music but ultimately end up as baristas. However the more I listened the more I appreciated. A lot.
Earlier this year the fellas released Pipe Dreams which has since been re-mastered to open the EP in all of its back feed glory. Starting off with a powerful punch of noise, Pipe Dreams offers a lovely insight into the oncoming ear feast; punchy percussion reminiscent of 90s Britpop, shoegaze riff fluxes, deadpan vocals and guitar feedback.
Title-song, Less Than Zero, offers a somewhat more chilled sound compared the ‘pow-pow’ opening scene of Pipe Dreams. It also throws back to the 80’s shoegazing persona that Contrast so perfectly embodies, which when teamed with the dark lyrics seemingly about break-ups and the unwavering desire to inflict emotional trauma on your past love ‘I just want to make you feel as less than zero’ makes for the perfect amount of self-loathing that you can bop around to.
So. Do not get thrown off by the metaphorical mess that is the opening statement. I had a hankering for dessert and merely wanted to express that if it doesn’t stand out to you immediately, stick with it, because it is well worth a listen and a shuffle around to. Ultimately the two thoughts collided. Deal with it.
Contrast, Less Than Zero review by Kaya Strehler.
