Melodic Rock That Packs A Punch
Some bands are all swagger over substance. They trade in their musical credibility for rock star coolness just to end up looking like idiots, idiots with over sized egos that is. Sometimes though a band can come along that catch you unaware, boldly delivering songs that ooze coolness from every sweaty pore combined effortlessly with a swagger that yells confidence all whilst retaining every ounce of their music credibility. And fear not boys and girls, such bands do exist and what is more they are homegrown. Step forward London trio, Kenjiro, three guys whose debut EP 'Unleashed' drenches you in energetic rock that melds a melody to emotion before strapping it to a heaving chunk of cascading choruses and unbridled rock to wet your appetite and leave you begging for more.
Teasingly opening with a hint of feedback that crashes into a pounding drum beat, 'Numb' quickly release a volley of harmonised vocals that dance around a chugging guitar riff, lifting skywards for a euphoric chorus that brandishes a hook to capture all. Having delivered the radio friendly rock, Kenjiro then unveil their darker side with '20/20', kicking off with whispered lyrics before breaking into grunge fuelled bass lines and down right dirty guitars to seduce and entice as Rich Browne's vocals seethe and sneer, charging headlong as '20/20' soars into full belt out mode for a chorus before dipping dramatically for the sinister tinged verses. 'Squeeze Play' meanwhile shows Kenjiro in full rock mode as they charge and wail about in all their swaggering glory, offering perhaps the highlight of the EP.
Swaggering with a rock arrogance that radiates cool whilst still exploding with a melodies and hooks to tantalise all, Kenjiro seem to have found the ideal mix; melodic rock that packs a punch and is full of bite.