who's this? - entropy

Who's This?

Entropy
self-released; 2013

3.8 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

Newly formed Melbourne-based rock band Who's this? consisting of Lindsay Chapman (lead guitar and vocals), Lewis Reidy-Crofts (bass and backings) and Donovan Lee (drums) just released their debut EP entitled Entropy. According to their Bandcamp page the EP is “an homage to the decay of the bourgeois mind in a world where entropy governs.” It contains four songs that show a lot of good things to come from this band. First off the production is stellar. The drums sounds distinct and refined in their low end, the bass sounds powerful and full, the guitars are full and occupy a lot of the mid-range while the vocal sits in the mix instead of on top of it. They consider themselves a rock band but don't be fooled because this band is quite eclectic and forms their sound from a myriad of sources.

The best example of this is the first song on the EP called “Hypochondria.” I enjoyed the guitars, loved the bass line and thought the interplay between the male and female vocalist was on point. Going back to the bass it plays a pivotal role in the song. The funk it brings to the rock music with octave hopping scales was a nice combo. It actually reminded me a bit of Hercules and Love Affair. They avoid cliché lyrics as well. Chapman sings “I've got a feeling rising up that's pulling me down / A malignant woe, I suppose The harder I push, the stronger it pulls / So we sway, 'cause the wind creates the waves.“

“Xanax” is a powerful rock song that flirts with an ubiquitous anxiety-ridden society that chooses to resolve their issues through a pill rather than finding the root of the problem.  Chapman sings the lyrics “Society is hypnotized / Like zombies working overtime / It seems some brains can be hard to find / When we're stuck in patterns unrealized” over warm electric guitar, steady bass line and constant kick drum before the reverb laced vocals harmonies enter.

“Hallelucinogen” relies on blues as well as rock. I thoroughly enjoyed the breakdown they go into at the 2:00 mark before busting full swing into the main riff. It was also a fun song to follow along lyrically as it reads as a loose narrative.

They close with a chill, relaxed number compared to their other material called “Not In Kansas Anymore.” As the song progresses you get a lead guitar solo as well as the band going into new territory. You can tell with this song the band is starting to get comfortable within its own skin and test its boundaries.

Overall, this is an impressive start from Who's this?. The songs sound great and I am anticipating where this young band goes from here. 

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