Three years since the release of their debut album Lie Out Loud, BLOXX look to cement their status as one of the country’s most exciting bands with Modern Day. The new EP only boasts five tracks but offers more of their infectious sound.
Modern Day sets off with its title track; a slow-burning listen. Its riffs and wistful melodies seem to enjoy the slower tempo, but it soon blooms into a mammoth chorus that utilises BLOXX’s ability to create anthemic moment. Setting the tone for the rest of the EP. Lead single ‘Television Promises’ follows with a desire to ramp up the energy. Snapping into frame with a gutsy riff, the song takes no time to become an immediate hit. Written about the unreality of reality TV, there’s plenty of grit available to really sink your teeth into.
While it’s easy to fall into the endless world of doom-scrolling and Love Island watching, BLOXX divert with ‘Runaway’ – a fun little number that sounds unlike anything they’ve done before. Its low-fi, electronic sound feels like waking up from a deep sleep and emerging into a world full of colour. Packed with soaring harmonies and a powerful chorus, it is effortlessly catchy.
‘Weight In Gold’ leads towards the close and delivers a strong contrast. Heartbreak inspired words are paired with an optimistic sound to produce an anthem for those who aren’t feeling too good right now. With subtle additions of hand claps on top of the serious amount of groove that’s already there, this is a song that could help dance away the sadness.
This embrace of loneliness leads nicely into the EP’s closer. ‘Happy Anniversary (To Being Lonely)’ ends things on a high note. Accepting current circumstances with another energetic performance that showcases BLOXX’s pairing of pop and rock well.
Modern Day is an EP that highlights how far BLOXX have come since Lie Out Loud put them on the map. It firmly establishes them as a band to be excited by, and one of the best new acts in recent years.