Introducing: The Machine Room
Electro-synth shoegazers, The Machine Room arrived on the prolific Edinburgh, Scotland music scene in 2010 as a five-piece made up of Tom Adam, John Bryden, Adie Emanuel, Scott Hitchings, and Ryan Marinello (Adam has since left and Cecilia Stamp has joined).
In the same way that New Order weave the bitter into the sweet, The Machine Room expertly craft succinct yet ethereal rhythms. Not afraid of showing off lush bass hooks combined with crystalline guitar lines over persistent arpeggios, they set an ideal backdrop to John Bryden's husky, falsetto vocals. Emotive yet restrained, The Machine Room know just how and when to pack a punch.
"Cost Of Progress" instantly draws the listener in through a sea of reverb-laced, post-punk goodness, then builds to soaring, moody crescendos. Touching on Twenty-First Century enuii and self-frustration, it is clear that this is a group not afraid to examine topical, yet timeless themes.
"Your Head On The Floor Next Door" is the most obviously reminiscent of vintage New Order with it swelling pop crescendos, yet featuring The Machine Room's own blend of bewitched, dulcet pop (not to mention wry sense of humor). Starting off with the lyrics, "So I've never felt so good since I sang 'Away In A Manger'/ Yet I've never felt so bad since I went down on a stranger," this listener was hooked.
Lyrically honest and sonically sophisticated, The Machine Room have already proven to be a formidable presence with an advanced understanding of their sonic realm. With hypnotically textured rhythms, not to mention a willingness to deviate from any assumed prescribed formula (think the jangly brilliance found in the likes of House Of Love), they are well on their way to achieving a presence and distinct sound amongst the ranks of Errors and Wild Beasts.
The Machine Room released the EP "Love From A Distance" on March 5th. You can download it via Bandcamp, or stream some highlights below.
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