7ebra do a LOT with a little, just Inez Johansson on guitar and twin sister Ella on keyboards and foot operated drum machine. But they can bliss you out with gentle riffs, go full TNT with heavy duty fuzz and all the while creating vocal lines so hooky that you’ll find yourself humming them long after the song has finished. It took my brain months to stop singing “I have a lot to say, just not to your face, your face really bugs me, I have to look away” (‘I Have a Lot to Say’ from their debut album Bird Hour).
Their new single ‘Normal Song’ is another fine example of their gritty-sweet sound with a song in two sections, hypnotic repetitions of organ swells under a lush guitar line on one hand and the spiralling chorus with guitar distortion, digital snare and sorrowful harmonies which reflect the song’s theme of embracing their melancholy. Inez says,
“I see the song being about trying to please everyone but failing, having a lot of things that need to get done, but all you want to do is close yourself off and cry in the corner. But then you think about it and say no, actually, I shouldn’t have to suppress this despair I’m feeling – I wanna cry in an open field. It’s normal to feel these things and you don’t have to hide it, if you don’t want to.“
Given the work they have put in since their debut album they are rising stars, booking bigger venues and getting some choice support slots such as their dates with Arab Strap at the end of May. 7eba are a rare act that work in a small venue (I’ve seen then at The Shacklewell Arms and Rough Trade East) but can get big crowds clapping and singing along and it’s only a matter of time before the big festivals come calling and they break into radio A-lists.
‘Normal Song’ is out on the always awesome PNKSLM label and as well as the usual streaming services you can buy a get-it-while-you-can super limited blue/yellow 7″ (only 300 available).
7ebra socials: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
On tour with Arab Strap:
May 20 – Carlisle, UK – The Brickyard (w/ Arab Strap)
May 21 – Sunderland, UK – The Fire Station (w/ Arab Strap)
May 22 – Birmingham, UK – The Castle & Falcon (w/ Arab Strap)
May 23 – Bristol, UK – Beacon (w/ Arab Strap)
May 24 – London, UK – Koko (w/ Arab Strap)
May 25 – Manchester, UK – Gorilla (w/ Arab Strap)
May 26 – Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club (w/ Arab Strap)
Review by Paul F Cook
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