Welsh band Chroma are now on the excellent Libertino label and herald this wonderful by releasing the double A-side release ‘Weithiau / Caru. Cyffuriau.’. Two slices of fuzzed up indie that mix some grit into their tuneful pop.
‘Weithiau’ (transl. ‘Sometimes’) and Katie Hall from the band says it’s about “ending a relationship with someone you love deeply” and “the process of coming to terms with the fact that the relationship doesn’t work and putting yourself first in that situation” and that’s reflected in the fact that running through the splashy drums, ringing guitars and melodic bass is an air of melancholy with vocals that contain the ache of lost love straining in the corners of the tune.
In stark contract ‘Caru. Cyffuriau.’ (transl. ‘Love. Drugs’) careens around like someone in the throws of the songs subject matter: “being a naughty teenager in the valleys experimenting with drugs and sex because there’s not much else to do”. You can just imagine this as a shaky-cam video with someone stumbling through multiple bars, clubs, parties and bedrooms with pinhole pupils and the repeated phrase “Caru Cyfffuriau” becomes an obsessive mantra that seems to be trying to drown out the grinding teeth and compulsive knee tremors and hand fidgeting. Drums rumble and crash, guitars stomp and bass lines elbow everyone aside and it all has the energy of a souped-up out of control HGV.
The power-of-three is strong in Chroma and Katie, Bev and Zac create an exciting and powerful sound. According to the Libertino website there will an EP release later in summer which is gwych.
Chroma socials: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Website
Review by Paul F Cook
Keep up to date with all new content on Joyzine via our
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Mailing List