Album Review

PaperPlane – Rebuild EP

• 12th Aug 2013

Plug into the ‘Rebuild’ EP by Paper Plane, and every cliché (and yet perfectly relevant) phrase about originality you’ve ever come across, will flit across your mind. Because vocalist Jack Bennett DOES have a unique, trademark set of pipes; because the three piece do defy genre boundaries; because they really don’t sound like anyone else out there right now.

Having said all of that, ‘Rebuild’ isn’t exactly an easy listen – you have to give it a few spins, and let the appreciation develop as you wrap yourself in the raw, real emotion of Jack’s words, the shuddering bass and the awkward, proggy rhythms of songs such as ‘Rose’.

Lead single ‘Chariot’ is hypnotic in one sense –Jack’s harsh voice draws you in against your will, ragged and real in your ears, the frantic riffs adding a sense of urgency to the song. ‘Rose’ is hypnotic in another sense altogether – haunting and decadently miserable, Jack showcases his vocal range and gives you a song to cry your eyes out to.

More important than the fact that Paper Plane have proved themselves to be hypnotically original, and talented musicians (those solos are to die for), they evoke emotion so powerfully that I’m taken aback. As the EP fades out, I find a lump in my throat and an urge to press play all over again.

– Iqra Choudhry

Venue: Rebuild EP
Support Band: Self Release