Introducing anthemic band The Alchemy, a new rock outfit from Canterbury, UK, who have recently released their debut album Chemical Daydream.
Chemical Daydream follows the success of the band’s debut EP which was released in April 2016, and has received support and appreciation from Kerrang! Radio, Planet Rock Radio, Scuzz TV, BBC Radio and UK online independent press. The four-piece features Rhys Taylor (vocals and guitar), Alex Porro (bass, synth and vocals), Luke Welch (guitar) and Sam Ewen (drums).
The Alchemy has displayed maturity on their first full-length record, showcasing a lot of experimentation with a range of sounds and instruments less often heard in this musical sphere today. Creating a sound that is meant for arenas, The Alchemy have found a way to seamlessly weave their eclectic influences, and their experimental twist on modern Brit-rock has seen them support Mallory Knox, I Am Giant, and has seen more than 100,000 views of an unreleased track from their EP.
However, even with the polished vocals and smooth production, Chemical Daydream doesn’t give away as much as expected to convince the audience. The band’s single Better The Devil You Know is a standout track and definitely the highlight of the album, one you would be humming along to, alongside Take Me Alive and the title-track Chemical Daydream. But aside from these,the other tracks don’t create a hype or leave a lasting effect on the mind. Not that these tracks are stretched, they just don’t give off a fresh, lasting vibe. Everything feels a little old styled and slavish, you might have heard it all before. Intertwined is the only slow-paced song in the record, which sounds different from the entire record as collective. No doubt the band has tried to create a different vibe, but it kind of feels a little scattered, like it’s floating around. Different from the rest of the album, it doesn’t seem a good fit to this record’s original tone.
The Alchemy has the potential, but unfortunately it isn’t quite realised this time. Aside from this they have really nailed the huge, anthemic choruses and have smashed the lyrics – Better The Devil You Know and Chemical Daydream are definitely the songs you’ll be jamming throughout summer. Chemical Daydream is a blend of rock, indie and electronic music; the band’s musical style suits them stunningly and if they stick to their creative vision they could bring out some fantastic records in future – we have high expectations. This might not be their masterpiece record, but it won’t upset anybody either. So we recommend you to give it a go!
6.5/10
Standout Tracks: Better The Devil You Know, Take Me Alive
For Fans Of: Lonely The Brave, Lower Than Atlantis, I Am Giant
Written by: Khushboo Malhotra
