Bronze Medallists
Empire (Moi Moi Records - digital release)
May 13 2013
8/10
Words: Andrew Major
Hailing from East London, Bronze Medallists merge the lines of electronica and art-pop with their new offering ‘Empire.’ Taken from the band's 2012 EP of the same name, 'Empire' is a tale of misdirection and the nostalgia of home. Swirling synth lines, broken beats and ambient backing vocals from the daughter of synth design legend Peter Zinovieff! What’s not to like? With lead singer Oliver Price’s vocals taking on a baritone shoe-gazing style and the subject matter being that of New York, it is easy to why the band have been likened to acts such as The National and the electronic Americana of The Postal Service.
The band seems to have it nailed when it comes to sound and their artistic direction of videos. Their accompanying video for 'Empire' shows clips of the 1970’s cult classic, The Warriors, which works to emphasise the lyrical content of being stuck in the regimented New York grid system and longing for the gentle curves of London.
Coming back to the question of what’s not to like? Not a lot really. 'Empire' ticks mostly all the boxes in terms of production, samples, emotive lyrics and some haunting backing vocals. It’s all very polished, very ‘now’ and just my cup of tea. If I really had to pick negatives it would be a fear of Bronze Medallists leaning a little too far towards the Brooklyn sound they seem to have achieved with 'Empire'. They are after all a London based band and with East London outfit Breton having paved the way for art-pop/synth music with a British grit, I hope they take something from that and follow suit.
Bronze Medallists play The Social, London, this Saturday April 20.
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