EP Review: Soft Issues – Soft Issues (Self Released)

Soft Issues are a two-piece band from Leeds formed in 2017. Influenced by the aggressive immediacy associated with punk & hardcore. Their debut EP was released on October 20th 2017.

To say that Soft Issues create a racket is an understatement. The insane level of blasting synth-heavy noise is incredibly harsh on the ears & the vocals are akin to someone being murdered! It is no easy task describing this EP, it really needs to be heard to be believed.

The question remains though, is it actually any good. Well yes…and no.

As individual songs, it’s such a mess at times that it is really hard to get into to but as a complete release it works. The manic intensity of BDC is like a sharpened stick to the eye while the synth eruption of Radiator Paint is a gut-churning & vomit-inducing hail of noise.

It comes as something of surprise that The Thrill of Seeing Your Friends is a haunting & moody track that utilises softly spoken word elements. It couldn’t be more different then what came before & what follows offering a little bit of lightness even if it is an extremely oppressive sound.

Degloving is a mind-fuck but it’s Hetchell, the final track that leaves the deepest wound. A mix of the intense noise heard so far but mixing it up with softer synth use that has all the hallmarks of a sci-fi horror.

There is no arguing with just how unique Soft Issues’ debut is & it’s a very imaginative release. It is certainly not going to be for everyone.

Soft Issues – Soft Issues Full Track Listing:

1. BDC
2. Radiator Paint
3. The Thrill of Seeing Your Friends Fail
4. Degloving
5. Hetchell

Check it out for yourself over on Bandcamp!