ARTIST – ALEX SANDRA

EP – LOWEST

REVIEWER – GRAEME WRIGHT

Social media and the likes of Spotify are often heavily criticised by the music press because of the relatively small returns paid to an artist and the insidious methods they use to extract money from bands who are finding their way in the music industry. While I accept this reasoning, it is also a fact that if the Facebook algorithms hadn’t pointed me in the direction of Alex Sandra, it would have been a much tougher task to attract my attention or for me to actively find this artist. That would have been a huge shame because this music is bloody fantastic, and the artist herself is totally original, has a huge personality and produces some fantastic songs that deserve the widest possible audience.

This four track EP was released in November and it’s a stunning achievement. It contains pace, power, melody and features hugely personal and affecting lyrical content. Opening track ‘Lowest’ is a heartfelt beautiful song that is immensely powerful but definitely leans towards the melodic end of Nu/Alternative Metal and it’s an amazing start to the proceedings. ‘Crisis’ is a different kettle of fish. It’s an aggressive and alarming track that hits you between the eyes right from the offset. It is hugely powerful and more typical of the genre, but contains a non-traditional vocal segue which occasionally leans towards an almost British eighties Pop/Punk sound to it which makes it for me at least the most unique and original track in Alex Sandra’s catalogue so far.

‘So You Can’t’ has an insistent back line that ably supports Alex’s amazing vocal range and it’s another song that I can imagine would go down a storm in the live arena, with mosh pits and circles galore being the order of the day. ‘What’s Inside’ is the final track on this EP and it sees the band hitting yet another home run. It’s a super heavy grinder that builds and builds throughout its running time and is a fine ending to a superlative release. I can’t recommend this record and this artist highly enough. If you get the chance check out Alex Sandra’s Facebook page or website. Her backstory is as interesting as the music she produces and I’m so pleased to discover her this early upon her return to Metal and the huge circus that surrounds this genre. Big personality, unique sound and an increasing catalogue of great songs. Seriously, what are you waiting for? Get on this train before it becomes too big to stop at your station. Fantastic stuff.

EP TRACK LIST

1. Lowest
2. Crisis
3. So You Can’t
4. What’s Inside