Alternative rock band Cloakroom Q have released their debut two singles ‘Don’t Come Home’ and ‘Wankman2000’. Hailing from Newry, Daniel Havern (Drumer), Conall Coulter (Guitarist), Dan Monaghan (Bassist), Ryan Elmore (Vocals) and Sean Hickey (Synth) formed after two of the members (Conall and Sean) saw LCD Soundsystem during their live set at Electric Picnic 2016. This influenced them to start a band which had many musical similarities to LCD. Of course, with the advent of Cloakroom Q they followed less of these musical influences as the sound developed with the additions of Dan, Ryan and Danny. Influences of the band “Slint” are present with both tracks due to the spoken word vocals featured. However, the influence of LCD soundsystem is still ever present with these tracks due to the synth arrangements.
‘Don’t Come Home’ is an intense spine chilling ominously dark trip. Twinkling creepy sinister synths create an almost horror movie like start. The steady pulsing beat creates a menacing foundation for the track while ghoulish haunting falsetto “ooh”, between anguished shaky vocals. It’s chilling and obscure smothered in simplicity as the feathery light melody on synths glisten, interweaving playfully and eerily against the harsh striking emotional lyrics. The track builds in intensity as drums pound and guitars crash becoming heavy and mosh ready, ending with the piercing shrill of distortion. This track is weighty both instrumentally and emotionally. It’s agonising, harrowing and brilliantly crafted. These guys build to a fury bursting crescendo while still holding back on some of the emotion. Its like a controlled explosion that is held taut so the intensity and torment remains throughout the fierce blow up.
‘Wankman2000’ is a pulsing psychedelic trip swirling in hypnotic soundscapes and flickering synths. A strong beat once again acts as a constant as the track wobbles and warps around it. Becoming heavy the track builds into fury infested headbang rock smothered in psychedelic delusions. Spoken vocals become aggressive and shouty. Dripping in acid-like illusions with dark eerie tones and pounding rhythms it’s another dense staggering track from this five piece.
Cloakroom Q have presented two chilling throbbing heavy hitting tracks with arrangements that take you on a roller-coaster ride of lurching and rolling with raw anguish and intensity. These two tracks whack these guys into the ones to watch list.
Stream singles ‘Don’t Come Home’ and ‘Wankman2000’ below