Across in Berlin, the international quartet The Flavians are onto the next chapter with their self-titled EP.
Capturing the wonderful world of psych rock, 60s rock and folk, the quartet have peacefully created a stir as one of the best indie exports from Europe this year.
Recorded and produced in their newly renovated ‘Flave Cave’; a turn of the century Kreuzberg cellar beneath the former studio of ‘Tangerine Dream’, the five track EP channels the throes of our new world order with five warm, grainy and upbeat songs about the pangs of youth and the jolt of growing up.
Comprising of Swedes Joakim Jägerhult (drums) and Liam Blomqvist (vocals & guitar), Czech Republican Anna Vaverková (vocals & keys) and Brit Thomas Wills (vocals & bass), The Flavians have a variety of influences behind them which really shines through on this EP.
Kicking off with one of my personal favourite songs so far this year, ‘Blinded By The Scenery’ is a soaring anthem of fun guitar riffs, intricate melodies and soulful, yet powerful vocals. It’s a thrilling way to open any EP but The Flavians absolutely nail this one.
The EP is quite a dynamic and versatile collection of five songs as each member has their time to shine. The dreamy piano ballad ‘Ace of Base’ as Anna’s keyboard skills are an instant standout, its sweet and soulful dose of musical sunshine making for an invigorating seduction.
Their last and most intimate single, ‘Black Bat’, is a waltzing, sentimental story that touches on the pain and uncertainty that comes with being in an entangled, ambivalent relationship. When you’re questioning how you got here, but can’t imagine it being any other way, the ‘Black Bat’ is the analogous blanket of velvet depression that we cocoon ourselves in when faced with the challenges of modern life.
With a powerful vocal performance that glides over layers of whirring strings and vocal harmonies, ‘Black Bat’ stands out as one of the band’s most introspective releases to date.
Penultimate single ‘Better Than This’ has keys similar to electronic outfit Metronomy over its charming melodies and inviting chorus. The song is actually about one of the band members and their experience with a drug dealer. Whoever used to deal with this person, well can count their lucky stars as the dealer ended up going to prison for stabbing a rival gang member whilst at a circus – you couldn’t make a story like this up if you tried!
Closing track ‘Is It Real’ was the hardest to get right according to the band, as they tried different singers before finding it suited Liam best. The barroom piano and pounding drums create a surreal yet grounded, accessible, melodic and experimental song.
Listen to all songs in full below. ‘The Flavians EP’ follows up on their 2020 independently released debut album ‘Ordinary People in an Ordinary World’.
