Wax Romantics is an alternative duo from Denver, Colorado, that released their debut EP Heart of Wax in March of 2020. The band consists of Collin Orr and Keaton Nalezny. Their follow-up, Nail Biter in Pinky Land, was released this February. Heart of Wax describes the story of a possessed romantic – a man infatuated with a woman and accompanied by a musical score that combines the shimmering lushness of Brit pop with the jangly quirkiness of Vampire Weekend. Nail Biter in Pinky Land takes on a much darker tone; both in the music itself and in the theme of the songs. Taken from an episode of Spongebob Squarepants, the band interpreted it to mean a troubling figure or bad entity (to actually have a ‘Nail Biter in a land of Pinkies’ would be devastating) and that's what the EP explores: the presence of an ominous figure.
The first track “Come Down” starts off with a very imaginative, raw sound with blaring guitar sounds and a tribal beat. The rock vibe breaks in and things start ramping up in a ‘80s new wave/goth/alternative kind of way – think Love and Rockets, INXS – maybe a little of The Church in there, too. Next up is “I Love U” and it’s quite danceable with its quirky pop rock style. The bass melody is fantastic, not to mention the surf punk sound of the guitar. If you were familiar with a short young cultural movement in Britain called “The New Romantics” (which happened during the early years of the 1980s), this duo’s music reminds me of that time – when the waning years of punk met up with the alternative freshness of new wave. I think I am having flashbacks! Moving on to “No Distance Left 2 Run” which features a low end, rumbling sound and a repeating guitar riff. I love the effects they used on the bass and guitar – those warm tunes are just lovely. “Something Like Angels” switches into an electronic “Nine Inch Nails goes back in time to meet Devo and/or Kraftwerk” sort of way. If you like early digital sounds, mixed in with a little modern house EDM and a few surprises that sound like the classic “Centipede” arcade game – you’re in for a treat! “In Shangri-La” sounds like a page right from Daniel Ash’s notebook or Robert Smith’s (or name your ‘80s, dark soul front man) – but I thought this song had something more than just direct throwback music references. It was in the change up during the song’s bridge and chorus parts. It seems like the band threw in some '60s pop styles, perhaps even psychedelic. Overall, an awesome track – the drums were the best. Last, there is “Fall Time” a song that just tears into you with its loud, grinding guitar riffs – very glam ‘70s – and a slinking, sultry bass/drum groove, reminiscent of T. Rex. This one was worthy of turning up just for the solo guitar parts alone. Sonically, that band states their EP aims to match the same palette as Heart of Wax but it’s cast with a darker veil. (I would agree – there is a darkness about it.) This latest release features distorted guitars more prominently, the beats sound more industrial and there is more of a minimalism to the songs and production. However, even with this darker vibe, the tracks do not lose the danceability and listenability that is so prevalent on their first recording. If you like music that’s dark but danceable, electronic with an edge that gives props to new wave styles of the early ‘80s, the Wax Romantics might be your thing.
1 Comment
Keaton Nalezny
4/24/2021 09:50:32 am
This is an awesome article!!! Appreciate the quality music journalism on a sick up-and-coming band. Excited to hear more!
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