The Race
For only a third EP, JKLMNO are already showing signs of a maturity that belies their tender years. With a weighted, grandeur intro, 'Subtle Changes' softens into a tender refrain reminiscent of Snow Patrol. Yet forget the schmaltz, few bands can put so much humanity and genuine emotion into a track like the Welsh five-piece do for their opener. When Carl Harrison sincerely bellows "There's people in the world less fortunate than us" it tends to hit home. 'Gold Vice' is just as heartfelt as vocals rise and fall to guitar crescendos; even if the song does concern new ways to die you cannot help but think that they mean it. Every word.
A slighter touch for 'Electric Hearts'; as drum beats hurry along to a lithe riff the track builds to a couple of false starts of bombastic guitar until Harrison finally allies the rhythms to his high-pitched lead. As if taking hints from Coldplay, 'Thistles and Thorns' opens with what sounds like a church organ. It is a genuine move as Harrison then sings as if in confession, asking for strength and courage then faith like a burgeoning Brandon Flowers to more sentimental backing.
For a closing track, they experiment a little with 'XYZ'. No, not the letters as a song title but that the track itself seems heavily produced as a loop of distant, metallic percussion lies menacingly in the background. Gradually, more organic sounds gain prominence, all rounded by Harrison's now triumphant vocals. Less a track than a victory parade, a final exultant refrain drifts and brings the EP to a proud conclusion.