Mesmerised by the video that accompanies this track, I almost skipped the music the first time round. The faux-childish animation works really well and draws you in perhaps a little too much, making the music more of a soundtrack than the main event. It’s good, though, the music, in a sunny fashion. Shoe-gazers should probably stop reading now because ‘Switchblade’ is feel-good material, in a ‘Have a Nice Day’ by Stereophonics sort of way, with added rough-edged vocals and keyboard-heavy rhythms and a funky little guitar riff thrown in here and there.
The track forms part of the ‘Lizard’ EP, due for release on 6th November on Trout Records. Oh Emperor hail from Ireland and have known each other since school, sharing a passion for music that has resulted in their cross-genre sound, which takes in many influences including Motown and garage rock. The result is pleasingly energetic and up-beat. For people who want more light than dark to brighten up their autumn and assure them summer is on the way, this is the track for you. It is light, though. If you want something meatier with more bite and less froth, you’re going to have to look elsewhere.