OVERSIZE is an alternative band formed in the Southwest of England and, after two promising EP’s since 2021, are on the cusp of releasing their debut album 'Vital Signs'. Exploring the dynamics within their music, the songs in this record drift easily between the genres of post-hardcore, alternative metal, shoegaze and emo. It’s filled with atmospheric, loud riffs, alongside magnifying, personal and dreamy vocals. You can feel the inspiration of the bands favourite 90’s alternative musicians, with influences coming from the likes of Smashing Pumpkins, Pixies and Deftones.
An album centred on grief; the record begins with 'Stalling' which absorbs you with an
opening that introduces the listener to the atmosphere of the album that will follow. This flows into 'Are You With Me?' which is performed beautifully with heavy yet airy guitar riffs. Third on the track list is already released single 'Fall Apart' which brings the post-hardcore influence to the surface, turns the volume up to 11 and leaves the listener wanting more.
'Something Clean' is up next, taking a slow, melancholy approach that gives a hint of emo, before belting out surprising, screamed lyrics to give the listeners something beautiful and raw. Midway through we reach 'Daretomove', another previously released single which throws us back to all the 90’s influence that has gone into this record. Finishing abruptly to set up for the next song 'The Incline' which, while lyrically focused, brings a huge riff met with those heart wrenching, impactful lyrics. Slowing down, we have 'From The Hell' which brings an intense but subtle moment of headbanging to round out the track. Contrasting this, another single 'SALT' brings us back to the overall theme of the album, grief and melancholy, whilst still as loud and magnifying as the rest.
OVERSIZE’s most recent release 'Vacant' starts with a heavier track that captures us with lyrics perfectly describing the communication (or lack thereof) with the people surrounding us. Finishing up is their current single 'Vital Signs' which closes out the album with everything you’ve expected from this ten-track record, including more surprising screams showing that this band will be a force to be reckoned with in their hopefully long future.
Overall, OVERSIZE’s debut album makes a strong statement into the alternative music
scene, giving a genre-bending, impactful record that will be on a lot of repeat playlists. This
record is personal to the band and sits nicely within the modern alternative metal playbook, with a touch of nostalgia at its finest.
Score: 8/10
'Vital Signs' will be released on February 28th 2025 via SharpTone Records.
Words: Laura Hughes
Photos: OVERSIZE
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