RobotBoy - RobotBoy

RobotBoy

RobotBoy
self-released; 2015

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Bo Hawkins (vocals/guitar), John Wilde (bass) and Connor Hansell (drums) aka RobotBoy didn’t fully form till the end of 2014 and have already released a three song self-titled EP RobotBoy. The EP is short but effective and builds a solid foundation for the three-piece. At their core this is a rock band and you can draw comparisons to both Queens Of The Stone Age and Death From Above 1979. 

I loved the production on the album, which feels live but not too lo-fi. The band plows through root notes that feel like a singular massive drone that propels a charge of energy. The first track “Cruel to be Kind” is a killer song that has a lot of momentum but also feels like sludge rock. The bass is kickin’ in the track and I thought they used the perfect amount of distortion to create grit. The song never has any lulls or breakdowns. Towards the end the band really lets loose with a barrage of notes and dynamic singing. 

The second song “Deadman’s Player” captures a similar type of vibe as the first song. For some reason I kept thinking it would be great song to have on a TV series like True Detective or The Wire. The chorus pops on this song and is immediately catchy and recognizable. Out of the three songs this one would be the most apt to capture a large demographic. 

The last song “Memento” shows a different side of the band. It starts with clean guitar picking and a slow BPM. I thought that Hawkins nailed it with the vocals. He sounds great on the verse and chorus. “Memento” is a dynamic, well-crafted song that ends in an epic way. I won't give away the end but suggest you listen.

RobotBoy goes three for three with this EP. The band is tight and has chemistry. I’m not sure of the band’s immediate plans but I am guessing they have had enough positive reinforcement that they are working on more music and playing shows. Recommended. 

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