My first experience of Edit The Tide was when they supported Punk Rock Factory in Cardiff earlier this year and I enjoyed what I heard so was excited to learn that their debut EP, Reflections in Sound was due this month.
Ambience is a great song which has stunning vocal melodies and a great sound to kick off the EP. It’s atmospheric, much like the entire EP.
The instrumentation around the halfway mark of United & Rebel is just class. There’s not much else to say there! Benjamin’s vocals in the track are insane too.
The heavier instrumentation on Paradigm shows off the versatility of Edit The Tide. It’s a really interesting track lyrically as it discusses being born a slave to the machine, working for very little in return.
The lyric “remember that you cannot heal yourself alone” is really deep.
Closing track The Moment speaks about mental health. It’s framed extremely well, with a more relaxed verse with the instrumentation, adding to the emotional sound.
As the instrumentation increases in intensity, so does Benjamin’s vocal delivery, taking the listener through a range of emotions, particularly with the ‘don’t you quit’ lines at the end of the track, delivered with an almost desperate and pleading vocal tone.
Throughout the EP – and something I noticed whilst watching the band live – is the talent of drummer Rudy Mason. His fills are by no means simple, but he makes them look and sound effortless. This is shown well in Unite & Rebel.
The mix of vocals throughout works well and enhances the lyrics at the right moments.
Anyone hearing Reflections in Sound without knowing who Edit The Tide are may be surprised at how well the record is put together for a debut EP, but this is not their first rodeo as the members have shared stages with the likes of Bring Me The Horizon, Skindred and You Me At Six, so it’s no surprise that this is a solid debut.