Live Review: REVIEW: City Calm Down 'Movements' EP

CITY CALM DOWN have finally released the highly anticipated Movements EP, and we wrapped our hands and ears around it in order to share its goodness! From the EP announcement to interviewing Sam Mullaly, this band have been hot on the PURPLE SNEAKERS radar.

Here's a play-by-play breakdown of Movements...

BURN SLOW

Opening with twinkling synths, ‘Burn Slow’ is a calm track that has an intro that'll put you into the most relaxed mood. Jack Bourke’s haunting vocals burst into the track like someone cannonballing into a still pool and it is then that the track is put into gear. Sam Mullaly’s synths soon brighten up the song by smooth layers that push the track along, with a solid drum beat keeping time with the intricate melodies.

About two minutes in, the drum beat pick ups and the song bursts to life with every element just connecting perfectly together. A small break in the song slows it all down mid-track, but you can already tell that CITY CALM DOWN have produced a track worthy of the hype. A perfect opener for the EP.

STAY

‘Stay’ opens with a fast-paced drum beat accompanying a busy bass, assuring the listener that yes, Movements is officially in full swing.

Bourke’s deep vocals are almost ghostly as they move with the drum and bass like a boat moving in sync with ocean currents. The song is steady with just the drums and bass filling it.

When the synths trickle their way into ‘Stay’, the song erupts with Bourke firing up his vocals and lifting the song to its highest point. These transitions are smooth and swift, so as to not make it obvious that change is coming. Sneaky...

PLEASURE & CONSEQUENCE

This is the one track from Movements that every budding muso already knows, but as promised, I will enlighten those too slack to have already given it a listen.

‘Pleasure & Consequence’ has a very low tone and sounds like a memory returning into your mind. Bourke again uses those deep vocals to add a ghostly mood but with light backing vocals, the haunting sound is briefly an uplifting one.

A break before the chorus has the synth wash over the track like an ocean wave, before a chorus that sounds oh so tame. Instead of becoming crazy lively, the chorus maintains the sense of calm and control.

The song ends on a high, with all its elements being energised for one last push forward.

SENSE OF SELF

This is another poppy, uplifting song, with Bourke’s vocals higher and chirpier. The synths are lighter, which creates a more electronic soundscape, as opposed to the rock flavour of previous tracks.

‘Sense Of Self’ is more dance-friendly and definitely proves that CITY CALM DOWN aren’t all doom and gloom.

The chorus is the best moment of the song, with an interestingly graceful melody dominating. Bourke's vocals dance with the melody and show how talented not only he is, but the entire band.

MOVEMENTS

Being the title track for the EP, you would think that 'Movements' would be worthy of a namesake, and not to worry friends, it totally is.

It draws you under its charm with ethereal notes from your speakers. It could only be described as unexpectedly abrupt as it draws you in, making you expect something magical to erupt soon enough, before suddenly fading out

'Movements' ends a mere minute-and-a-half after beginning.

DARE

Mullaly opens the final track with strong synths, before the drums enter with a beat that makes the song a head-bouncer. (I would say head-banger but my head is bouncing).

Another lively track by CITY CALM DOWN, ‘Dare’ uses wonderful harmonies to assist the melody of the track - especially when Bourke lifts his vocals a bit higher than usual and sings, “take yourself to the edge”, in an almost whisper.

A break of busy synths and fast-paced drums liven the track even more, and ‘Dare’ is most definitely one of the best tracks that Movements has to offer. By the time this bouncy song slows, eventually fading out, you feel like you need a breather, as its made you want to dance dance dance!

Words by Lauren Payne

LISTEN TO MORE NEW MUSIC HERE