EP Review: Mouth Culture - 'Whatever The Weather'
Mouth Culture looks on the brighter side of life with their latest EP, ‘Whatever The Weather’.
Anyone who is anyone has had Mouth Culture on their radar for a few years now but with their new release and tour, they’re sure to be a household name by Christmas. Leicester based alt rockers, the trio are making their mark in 2024 with their new EP ‘Whatever The Weather’, an explosive release full of iconically identifiable indie riffs, moody vocal delivery and undeniably catchy lyrics. Continuing on from their last EP, ‘Mishaps of my Mid-Twenties’, this release takes the existential life questions they had explored already and puts a positive spin on things. Rather than exploring the anxieties and difficulties they face, this EP sees the band taking a more optimistic tone and looking towards feeling comfortable in their own skin.
First track ‘Dead in Love’ kicks things off on a high. Its wonderfully catchy with a chorus that can’t help but invite you to sing along and really is a demonstration of the band at their best. You’re encouraged to listen to the track over and over, finding new meanings in the lyrics that at first read as morbid but on second and third plays have a hopeful tone. They expertly tow the line between thematic opposites love and death and brilliantly set the tone for everything to come. ‘No Shame’ is notedly darker and grungier with lots of nods to influences like Royal Blood, Gallery Circus, and Bring Me The Horizon. Vocalist Jack Voss brings a real moodiness and rasp to his vocal delivery and the electronic elements that are brought in during the bridge showcase a new and exciting side to the musicality and artistry that this band are capable of.
A real highlight on the EP is ‘Little Wednesday’. This is a real chance for the band to show off their emotional side, both through their lyricism and tone. Its a return to an upbeat indie rock sound but there’s something about it that has real heart. With simple lyrics, the message of teh track is one everyone can identify with and the chorus in particular really tugs at something with the lines
‘I know you’ve had such a bad day, I wish I could take it all away My Little Wednesday’
The use of Wednesday is curious. You cannot help but wonder if its a reference to the popular Addams family character or maybe is a more conceptual idea about the monotonous and numb midweek mindset we all face. Regardless of what the true meaning is, the track really resonates in a way that made my younger emo self feel seen.
Aside from dropping EPs, the band have huge plans with the remainder of the year. Throughout November, they’re on tour all over the UK. Their hometown show at the Leicester O2 is surely not one to be missed-they’ve spent the whole year playing with You Me at Six and coming back to where it all began having achieved so much will be a really special gig.
Words by Kirsty-Ann Thomson
