VICIOUS LITTLE WORLD by NOTOWNS is an astute and entertaining album tackling modern life through the genres of New-Wave and Indie-Rock with elements of punk thrown in there. The album is forged by the contradictory tones of positivity and hopelessness. These two aspects mould and form over each other, each dictating the tone of an individual song or combining to create this melancholic mixture. The tone feels like hope despite a nihilistic awareness of modern meaninglessness.

This is such a specific modern day feeling that captures this sense of the impending dread that defines the modern world. The first track, A Better Day, introduces us to the tone of the project with layers of strumming guitar. They have this bright, vibrant timbre that communicates the positivity that makes up part of the song’s core. This is matched by a synth that flows above the composition, almost taking over the vocal, sitting in pole position in the mix. This synth works alongside these ringing bell sounds that feel almost ironically positive, contrasting the more subtle delivery. The delivery reminded me a little of The Smiths. It feels like the audience has to pull out the meaning from every individual word or phrase, emphasising the importance of the carefully dictated cadence and tone. The title track, Vicious Little World, takes a more outwardly passionate and bold approach to exploring the uncertainty and fear at the core of modern existence. The pulsing guitar gives the track a sense of drive and the vocals are more outwardly emotive. The syncopated drum part nails the counter rhythm, giving the piece a more energetic and engaging sound. I also love the harmonies sung throughout the track. They are rough and ready, more so emphasising emotion than delivering different melodic lines. To me, this felt like an awareness of the unity at the core of this project. We’re all going through this strange modern world together and it felt like an acknowledgement of that. This project is full of amazing tracks that capture ineffable emotion. VICIOUS LITTLE WORLD is a uncompromising the deeply conceptual project that deserves your attention.