Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music on Amazon!

JFH Music Review


NYVES,
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

NYVES
Pressure EP



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Industrial / Electronic Rock
Album length: 5 tracks: 23 minutes, 12 seconds
Street Date: August 18, 2016


READER RATING:   


Last year, Demon Hunter frontman Ryan Clark teamed up with former Project 86 guitarist Randy Torres to form an "electro-rock" duo called NYVES. Their debut album Anxiety released that summer, and while it was a solid album with superb programming from Torres, Clark's vocal delivery sounded a bit monotone at times. This summer, they released a new EP, Pressure, which charted in the Billboard Top 10 Dance/Electronic Albums. Landing in a Billboard top ten list is no small feat, but Pressure doesn't quite hold up as well as one would hope.

While Anxiety incorporated splashes of guitar and piano among the electronic sounds, Pressure is almost completely electronic, and has a much colder, darker soundscape. The opener sounds promising, as the intro to the title track flickers in with symphonic synths leading into industrial beats and reverbed vocals. Clark's vocals are slightly rougher than last time, and his delivery is more direct. However, it is difficult to tell who Clark is addressing as he sings--the chorus suggests he could be talking to God ("Please, for the sake of my revelation / Show me how to begin again…"), but the verses appear to indicate otherwise, with lines like "You're the pride before my fall" and "Think you're pulling the strings / But you're leaving me on my own." Regardless of who Clark is addressing, the lack of lyrical clarity can be distracting to the listener. This track ends rather abruptly, and leaves us where it began with those same flickering synths.

Most of the EP follows suit--slow burner tracks, cryptic lyrics, dramatic pauses in the vocal delivery, and musical repetition. Like 'Pressure," "Not Enough" and "Details" also end before they really go anywhere, both lyrically and musically. "Common Ground" begins with a minor key Depeche Mode-esque sound, and as the song progresses it feels as though it will build up to a crescendo...but then it does not, and disappointingly drags on to the end. The highlight of the EP is the middle track, "The Pain," which is the only fast track and has a more complex structure than the other songs.

Pressure is not a bad EP, by any means. Torres' programming and production are still commendable, and Clark does bring more dynamics to the vocals this time around. Unfortunately, the cryptic lyrics, repetitive melodies, and gloomy ambiance make it hard to recommend this EP. Those who enjoy electronica and industrial music may like Pressure, as well as critical listeners who like to analyze poetic lyrics for deeper meanings. The casual listener, however, will be left wanting more.

- Review date: 9/8/16, written by Nicole Marie Vacca of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Listen to the debut EP from the band Hopeful.!

 

. Record Label: None
. Album length: 5 tracks: 23 minutes, 12 seconds
. Street Date: August 18, 2016
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com
. Buy It: Bandcamp

  1. Pressure (4:01)
  2. Not Enough (5:01)
  3. The Pain (4:31)
  4. Common Ground (6:01)
  5. Details (3:38)

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Listen to the debut EP from the band Hopeful.!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, March 26, 2024
ALBUMS
Brandon Lake Apple Music Nashville Sessions - EP [Provident]

This Thursday, March 28, 2024
ALBUMS
David And Nicole Binion The Revelation Of Jesus - EP [Integrity]
The Rocky Valentines Erase [Velvet Blue/Tooth & Nail]

This Friday, March 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Grungepunks The Fall Blues EP [Charon Collective]
Meadows Familiar with Pain [Facedown]

SINGLES
Joe L. Barnes Altar - Single [RCAI]
iNTELLECT It Ain’t My Fault - Single [Polished Arrow]
Spoken Worth Holy Week - Double Single (independent)
Gileah Taylor Summer Jubilee - Single [Velvet Blue]

VINYL
Battlecross Pursuit of Honor (Blood Moon Vinyl) [Back Breaker]
Battlecross Rise To Power (Silver Bullet Power Vinyl) [Back Breaker]
Battlecross War of Will (Amber Wave Vinyl) [Back Breaker]

Next Friday, April 5, 2024
ALBUMS
EmanuelDaProphet Fab5 [Capitol CMG]
Me'Kayla Prelude - EP [Motown Gospel/Capitol CMG]
We Are Messengers Where the Joy is [Curb]


For all release dates, click here!
 



Listen to the new album from Trey Tate!




Listen to the new Album From Tim Juillet!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images