Donnie Willow set to release their second instalment titled Exhibition June 9th, which is set to be a good eye opener for their future. Already boasting some pretty nifty support slots in the past with Don Broco, Black Peaks and Fatherson, they are now set to take another 9 date UK tour starting on the date of their EP release which kicks off in Glasgow.
Opening with with Stuck, feedback from the guitar lead to a riff overlapping the wall of noise followed by a growling scream before easing into a more chilled vibe in the verse as a nice vocal melody sings over clean guitar licks. Chunky tones fill the song bringing an essence of hardcore influence and lighter tones honing an emo vibe.
Off to a great start, Blessed Company fiercely breaks out with a scream, a sharp noted guitar lead, an almost off beat sounding drum track making an impact. Again showing versatility in vocals with high end singing and screams blending very smoothly. The pace of the song steadies with a ballsy alt-rock feel, as the chorus is introduced with a wild roar as the instruments come to a halt during this thunderous scream for only a second.
Catchy guitar riff brings Toys to the centre of attention to the EP, with the repetitive used line used in different segments making for an interesting track that will catch on easily with the audience being able to follow the repetition. Screams during the chorus begin to remind me of Letlive and Glassjaw, as does the general aura of the heavy hitting track of the EP. Mid song changes up a bit still keeping the core dynamics, before returning to one last chorus.
I Still Remember strums a single clean chord before a clean vocal line sings over the ringing guitar wasting no time in beefing things up before again slowing things down for the verse. The only track on the release that sees the band step away from screaming, showing that they are more than capable of making a good track for the ones who may not necessarily enjoy a more hardcore vibe.
9/10
Be sure to check out Donnie Willow on the following dates:
JUNE 9th – GLASGOW – Nice’n’Sleazy
JUNE 10th – EDINBURGH – The Mash House
JUNE 11th – NEWCASTLE – THINK TANK? *
JUNE 13th – LONDON – The Old Blue Last*
JUNE 14th – BIRMINGHAM – Subside *
JUNE 15th – PRESTON – The Ferret *
JUNE 16th – DARWEN – Sunbird Records *
JUNE 17th – BOLTON – Alma Inn *
JUNE 18th – SWANSEA – The Scene Swansea *
* w/ Rory Indiana
Donnie Willow – Toys (Official Video):