Brake Loose // Frenetic // EP Review

Dublin’s Brake Loose is a rock band that describes itself as dirty, mischievous and fearless.

Led by Venezuelan singer and poet Alex Murillo, with guitarist David O’Grady, bassist Juanjo Pulpeiro, and drummer Nando Alonso, Brake Loose has been on my radar for quite a while without actually crossing paths, which means that today I am popping my very own Brake Loose cherry whilst reviewing their debut EP ‘Frenetic’.

As it kicks off, I am taken aback by its easy-on-the-ear melodic vibe. I had in my head that they were a harder-sounding band, but I am pleasantly surprised by their chilled vibe. The EP opener ‘Dancing On The Red Line’ is a real earworm of a track and immediately pulls you in, It’s a track that teases you as an opener and makes you wonder where this EP will take you. As it is the EP’s second track, ‘Treat Her Like A Rose’ is more of a rock ’n’ roller as it lays down a thicker sounding feel with an 80s Brit rock vibe from top to bottom. ‘Love On Fire’ continues this theme with another heavy layered number that’ll have your foot tapping in no time. Each song has a rousing chorus that will have you pumping your fists in the air and shaking your booty in appreciation. The guys bring the vibe up and down, allowing the track to breathe on its own and finish it off with a banging exit out of one of the highlights of the EP.

‘Kiss Me Bye Bye’ has a thunderous intro that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, it’s dark, emotive feel just lures you into a false sense of secuirty that you’re going to get out of this one alive, not if that filthy riff has anythng to do with it! It’s a gnarly track that seems like a million miles from the album’s friendly opener, naughty Brake Loose! The EP’s closer, ‘REBEL REBEL (Evil Like The Devil) drives home that edgy side Brake Loose have in spades. A multi-faceted band that can turn it on at will has produced a seriously entertaining debut EP for sure. One that will have heads popping up above the turret as the band takes shots while it can, each track delivers beautifully and will no doubt win Brake Loose an army of fans as they and their sound develop over the years to come. A fine sounding rock band for sure and one that I think Ireland has lacked for quite a while, we love our Rock and Metal and are rich in quality bands from North to South, but none quite like Brake Loose, who have their own thing going on, so get on that gravy train early pick yourself up a copy of ‘Frentic’ and tell them Mark sent you, just to confuse them.

Frenetic lands this coming Friday, May 30th. Via Symphonic Distribution.