Single Review: Balance and Composure - Reflection

I was about to do a feature on this record as it comes out today. Unfortunately homework (yawn) has tied me up until now. So here's the deal, I'll write my Reflection single review tonight and then probably next week I'll roll out a full LP review of Balance and Composure's The Things We Think We're Missing. Game? Cool.

Well, what can I say, this has been a long time coming. With 2011's Separation debut album B&C did something few thought could be pulled off credibly. They have masterfully ripped out the 90's grunge/alt sound from its early grave. Not only that but it was mixed a contemporary edge that let the influences mix effortlessly.

Reflection was the first single released from TTWTWM about a month and a half ago. I don't even know where to start. It is quite simply astonishing. Listen to their discography and you will see a steady but mighty rise musically and lyrically. Reflection at this moment in time is the pinnacle of their song writing (but we know they're capable of more). The intro alone contains one of the finest fuzz-laden riffs in their scene. The verse bursts into life and the latter half accompanied by a beautiful guitar picked loop. Vocally and Lyrically Jon Simmons again doesn't fail to impress. Vocal harmonies work a charm and the layering emphasises what a thick slab of edible grunge this is. Soaring chorus lines backed by an almighty bass line give this song a truly expansive feel, one that nods its head in appreciation to the 1990's alt scene. Repeated ideas are not regurgitated but placed just at the right point, sometimes with variation.

B&C are back and you better listen up. New heights can only be reached after a delivery this good. A MUST LISTEN.

9/10

Full album review will be up this weekend/Monday of next week. Enjoy this little snippet though!

Seb Wainwright