The Guest List initially gained popularity by captivating audiences with their experimental covers of indie classics online. What followed was an alluring stream of singles and a debut EP produced by the acclaimed James Skelly, which gained them a diverse fanbase of ‘misfits’. Now, their second EP ‘When The Lights Are Out’ cements the band’s prominence as a rising talent and future classic.
This EP is nothing short of phenomenal. With deeply personal songwriting, the EP is bursting with purpose, soul and conscience. The band harnesses the opportunity to write about themes close to their hearts, twisting unique tales with their signature soulfulness.
Opening the EP with the title track that ‘took over a year to write’ as lead singer Cai Alty wanted it to be ‘as true and honest as possible’, the band tastefully navigates the subject of male mental health. Whispering crushing lines such as ‘unleash this aching burden to the worms,’ Alty, raw and unfiltered, confesses thoughts of suicide on the track. The confessional is layered over gentle drums and harmonious acoustic textures. The vocal performance vividly expresses his anxieties as he gasps around the lyrics, “I can’t breathe.” While occasionally venturing into a Smiths-like melancholy, Morrissey could never lift you out of the nose-dive quite like the crescendo of this chorus.
Soft vocals and captivating lyrics draw you into the next track, “Weatherman.” In this song, Alty angrily criticises previous generations for their failure to care for the planet we call home, while Leio Hunter gently strums an acoustic guitar beneath an escalating electric riff. Halfway through, the song reaches its emotional peak as the full instrumental ensemble joins in, allowing you to feel the pain expressed by this musical arrangement until the very end.
Just as we begin to recover emotionally, we are thrust into “Ruine,” the band’s most recent single. “Ruine” captures raw yearning and submission, supported by enchanting riffs and hypnotic drum beats. Sid Wallace, the band’s bassist, delivers a gut-wrenching French spoken-word poem during the bridge. This song stands out in The Guest List’s discography, exemplifying how they are making a significant impact in the genre.
The simplistic beauty of “Plasticine Heart” showcases the band’s talent for conveying deep emotions through sound. In this stripped-down musical and lyrical setting, the intricate layering of instruments and vocal harmonies invites listeners on a journey filled with anger, hatred, and bitterness, emotions we often struggle to acknowledge but desperately need an outlet for. The guitar wails in agony as Alty passionately sings, “It pulls me apart,” leaving the listener both shaken and captivated.
After a lengthy three-year creation process, “Mary” closes the EP with power and resolution. Guitarist Tom Quigley describes it as “the most important song we’ve released,” as it courageously addresses the cyclical nature of domestic abuse. The song alternates between crashing drums, intense electric guitars, and soft vocals complemented by acoustic melodies, drawing us into the emotional whirlwind of “Mary’s” heartbreaking journey, a fitting conclusion to a phenomenal EP.
The time and effort the band has invested in perfecting this record is truly commendable. Collaborating in Norway with the talented Bergen-based producer Matias Tellez, they have created an EP that resonates with a generation of indie fans and redefines the alternative genre. The Guest List is on the verge of a breakthrough, so be sure to see them live before tickets to their shows become hard to come by.