Port Isla
A.L.I.V.E
Release Date: 22nd May 2015
Norwich four piece Port Isla have already brought us two stunning EP’s in the form of 2014’s ‘The Steamroller EP’ and ‘In The Long Run’ but now they are back with another wonderful collection of songs. It is a clear progression in sound but there also remains the brilliance and great songs they have become known for and have gained plenty of fans for.
The EP opens with title track ‘A.L.I.V.E’, it’s uplifting melodies and feel good atmosphere. Piano chords and quick mini riffs dance around the huge drum beats and soaring vocals of the choruses. It is a track that instantly captures your full attention, putting you in a great mood and is sure to spark plenty of sing-along’s to that anthemic chorus. It really is an absolutely brilliant track, perfect for summer and a great start to this latest EP.
‘Ready For The Fight’ has a softer start with acoustic guitar strums backing up harmonious vocals delivered with deference from the off. This is a more flowing and atmospheric feel to this and you can feel the emotion running throughout from first note to last. But it is the choruses where things become more dramatic with those guitars reaching their apex, the drums creating a strong beat, the cymbals echoing around everything and again, those soaring vocals.
Softly strummed acoustic and intermittent padding drums open ‘Penny Red’ before wonderfully delicate vocals come in. Throughout verse and chorus, the music remains quiet flowing from one note to the next. It is the vocals that take centre stage showcasing their range of harmonies, growing and multiplying to make the choruses a true aural spectacle. Towards the end, tinkling piano keys and crashing cymbals culminate with the other sounds to create a huge ending to this one.
Final track ‘Raleigh’ has an almost celestial edge to the opening with building beats that play against tinkling notes and shimmering atmospherics that make this so beautiful to listen to. As the instrumental song builds and builds, bassy notes are added for mere moments before it is all stripped away, fading off into silence and ending the whole thing with a sense of awe and wonder.
Check out the video for ‘A.L.I.V.E’ the single taken from the EP below:
To find out more about Port Isla visit their wesbite, their Facebook page, their Soundcloud page or you can follow them on Twitter – @portisla
Credits
Mixtape Couture 