Review by Gary Spiller for MPM
Following on from their lead single ‘Secret Drug’ Llanelli’s Scarlet Rebels return to the fray upping the bar even further with their second single from their forthcoming August release ‘Where Colours Meet’.
With ‘Grace’ an already expanding sound continues to grow. Penned, jointly, by Chris Jones and Wayne Doyle the message that this is far, far from a singular trick pony.
‘GRACE’ is available on all digital platforms: HERE
Heading in a different direction to ‘Secret Drug’ we bear witness the Rebels heading Stateside to grab the back seat of a muscular convertible. Sandwiched between Petty and Springsteen, roof down, the Welsh quartet are in esteemed company as they journey along the rock n’ roll freeway. The big skies frame a seemingly infinite horizon whilst wild flames illuminate the expanses.
Reflecting upon the songwriting process frontman Wayne Doyle elucidates ““This song is one of my favourites on the album. it’s a guitar riff, based sing along type of anthem that will be swirling around your inner jukebox for days hopefully, a proper ear worm.” Before going on to explain “CJ [guitarist Chris Jones] sent us the composition just before we started working on new songs, and I matched its music with lyrics from an older song I had written called ‘Grace.’ With some tweaks, it all came together perfectly.”
Wearing inspirations proudly Doyle furthers “Inspired by songwriters like Bruce Springsteen, I aimed to create vivid imagery, like a girl picking flowers and laughing in the rain. The song tells the story of someone overcoming a tough past and finding hope, ultimately becoming the narrator’s ‘saving grace.’”
A vital component of the finest musical artisans this imagery conjuration is as strong as Springsteen, Petty, Dylan et al. For me ‘Grace’, this fine near five minutes of stadium-ready rock, possesses something of Talking Head’s ‘And She Was’ buried right in there amongst the midst. Chilled-out yet upbeat the song’s ‘objet du désir’ is one plucked from a day-dreaming flight that soars gently with a firm hand applied.
“Catching smiles for hours” is a guarantee that is entwined herein as guitarist Chris Jones hits his zenith with a personal ‘November Rain’ moment in his mid-track solo. Be sure, as you reach for the ‘Play’ button, to heed Wayne Doyle’s forewarning of a proper earworm. This is one track that has absolutely no perception of the meaning of half-life; in fact, the beauty is in its ever-holding warm, breezy embrace.
Scarlet Rebels has laid down a determined statement of intent by unleashing this brace of blissful rocking singles. All eyes (and ears) focused upon the forthcoming album which promises so very much, I feel the trump cards have yet to be called into action. Friday 16th August, in the intimate surrounds of Swansea’s, promises to be a special day with Scarlet Rebels playing the album live in full.
Where The Colours Meet’ is out on 16th August 2024 and is available to pre-order on limited edition vinyl, signed CD, collector’s bundles and more at earache.com/scarletrebels
Pre-order Album – https://earache.lnk.to/WhereTheColoursMeet
