Too much edge, not enough melody
Louise Distras, formally of post-hardcore trio Blockades, has moved on and is ready to release "Spiders", a solo acoustic EP.
With "Spiders" she gives us three, lyrically driven, acoustic tracks that draw on her punk influences as well as her previous experiences. From the very start you can hear her post-hardcore background; her voice showing the roughness that is essential in that genre and that works for angry screaming.
But the songs on this EP do not call for screaming and this results in title track 'Spiders' and second track 'This City' telling their tales with angsty, almost whiny vocals.
The stand out track is the final one, 'When in Rome'. Distras' voice and talent shines here, especially in the chorus with the refrain of "you'll miss me in London, Paris, Rome or Spain, you'll miss me on the other side of the world" where her voice loses the hard edge and becomes more subtle and melodic. I'd like to hear more of this and less of the angsty edginess that dominates the bulk of the three tracks and which is slightly grating on the ears.