EP Review: Hallan - 'Reporting Live From The Living Room Floor'
In their debut EP, Portsmouth-based Hallan have immediately established themselves as valuable figures in the British post-punk scene. Reporting Live From The Living Room Floor is equal parts critical, relatable, and utterly enjoyable.
The album adopts loose conceptual ideas that carry across both the lyrics and the sound. Stepping into Orwellian territories of dystopia, tracks like ‘Reruns’ and ‘Television Show’ illustrate a controlled society that relies completely on TV - “television feeds me all my dreams,” lead singer Conor Clements sings at one point. The theme feels like a unique touch, and is very satisfying to listen to as it follows through. It’s all backed with fun cultural references, name-dropping Channel 4 and RuPaul’s Drag Race in ‘Yesterday (With Him)’ alone.
In between this running imagery is classic politically-fuelled lyricism that defines the genre, criticising social class structures in the perfect, charming way that you’d expect from a post-punk band.
A sense of narrative is also carried through the sonic elements of Reporting Live From The Living Room Floor. The majority of the EP adopts the clear identity of a consistent rhythm-driven sound. There’s just the right amount of variety to avoid things becoming too repetitive, but the chaotic, deep sounds of the rhythm section dominate each track. Above all else, though, are some extremely sexy bass lines - it’s the perfect album if you’re seeking something bass heavy.
It’s in the final two tracks that things take an unpredictably melancholy turn. ‘WHITEBOYS TV’ and ‘Prime Time Lullaby’ are like wild-cards amongst everything else, concluding Reporting Live… with a suddenly sombre ending. This shift in tone is pleasantly unexpected and drastically enhances the EP. It adds an extra level to Hallan’s sound, illustrating the potential of what they’re capable of.
Reporting Live From The Living Room Floor is an excellent contribution to its genre. With amusingly political yet thought-provoking words and a sound that never fails to keep you invested. Hallan are ones to watch.
Words by Caitlin Mincher