EP Review: Muscle Vest – Human Resources (Self Released)

Formed in late 2018 via a “musicians wanted” ad and a mutual love of noise-rock, Muscle Vest is a brand new London five piece which has so far been compared to Daughters, Pissed Jeans, USA Nails, The Jesus Lizard and Melvins.

Following on from the release of their two singles; That’ll Do, Pig and Pinch Me released on October 15th 2019. The band are now set to release their debut EP, Human Resources on February 14th 2020 which features the two tracks above.

Rather then repeat what we wrote last year regarding those two songs, we’ll just link to that review here. The one thing we would add is that they both sound as strong as they did when we first heard them, in fact maybe even stronger as here they’re part of a more complete picture.

A noise-rock, chaotic picture but one you can’t help but stare at and be fascinated by. Kicking off with Commuter, there is a strong sense of barely contained frustration and anger that threatens to boil over at any stage. Thick riffs sticky with viscus liquid, a vocal style that is based in throat-scrapping rawness and a mucky beat hammered home by the bass and drums. This might be the best track Muscle Vest have written so far.

Although, Scab isn’t far off that too with a perky and sarcastic twang to its lusciously addictive rhythm. The droning pace is so on point here and the section that has the guitars doing battle is simply delightful.

For those coming in new, That’ll Do, Pig and Pinch Me make up the latter half of the EP. So much to enjoy, so much bedlam to enjoy and enjoy you will. We said last year that Muscle Vest were ones to watch. Now we’re even more convinced that they are leading the charge for noise rock in the UK.

Muscle Vest – Human Resources Full Track Listing:

1. Commuter
2. Scab
3. That’ll Do, Pig
4. Pinch Me

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