Scarlet Blonde - There Is No Black & White

 

This is without doubt one of the most hyperactive records of recent times. Nary a second after hitting play, your ears are assaulted by a blitz of beats and riffs so hard they should come with some sort of health warning. In other words, this is an in-your-face record that grabs attention with all the subtlety of a child poking you in the eye. That sounds pretty awful, but this is a truly refreshing album, and a real treat to listen to. It also lacks any sense of pretension. There is no Black & White is all about having a good time all the time, and then telling you all about it the remainder. It's imbued with hardcore sensibilities, and there's a real sense of emphasis behind every beat, as though scientifically-designed for maximum impact. It certainly works, and the concoction of beats and riffs hits you right between the eyes. Whilst it's edgy and powerful, there's a distinct pop nous, and the listener is assailed with hooks repeatedly, until they're left basking in the freshness of the originality and joyousness. There's tonne of mixes packing out the disc, and the pick of the pack is the final one, which really brings out the rock elements of the track and the raw, sucker-punch power. Great.