Album Review

Black Foxxes – Pines

• 24th Nov 2014

Two minutes into Black Foxxes’ debut EP ‘Pines’, the hairs on the back of my neck are standing up. There is a rawness of emotion to vocalist Mark Holley’s voice and an evocative lyricism to his lyrics; before the EP was dropped into my inbox, I had never heard of them, and one play-through later, I’m feverishly googling to see if they have any upcoming shows.

The tracks on the EP switch between the anthemic (as on opener ‘Home’) and brilliantly haunting (eponymous track ‘Pines’). Listening to the record, it feels as though the songs are the right kind of accessible – the kind that mean something different to different listeners. Reminiscent of Brand New, Royal Blood and Deaf Havana all at the same time, the Exeter trio have hit upon an unusual and unique sound.

Intriguing and bleak at times (‘You Could Have Been A Man’), the EP is a raw, gritty offering. The three-piece are definitely ones to watch; music this good can’t not make people sit up and listen.

– Iqra Choudhry

Venue: Pines
Support Band: Self release