All This Huxley – Comrade II (Review)

All This Huxley - Comrade II (Review)

Check out this music review for, ‘Comrade II’ released by All This Huxley

A new single that blurs the lines between rock and indie music.

Besides the brilliant pun in the name, All This Huxley set out to impress their audience with hard-hitting songs, showcasing catchy melodies and beautiful atmospheres.

Their most recent studio single, “Comrade II” comes as a really special track, guided by a stunning acoustic guitar, pushing the melody forward. The drums are roomy and organic, with a slight “marching” feel, adding energy to the song. The vocals are the main element shining under the spotlight.

What I really love about this song is the fact that it has two sides to it. On one hand, it is quite intimate and mellow. On the other, it retains a lot of energy and punch. For this reason, I can see why “Comrade II” would be appealing to a really broad crowd!

The singing makes me think of artists as diverse as Ben Howard or The 1975, but with a more down-to-earth vibe. Don’t miss out on this release, and other tracks by All This Huxley

Press Release

It’s just possible that devoted followers of eclectic indie rockers All This Huxley who’ve rocked out to them since 2014 at various hotspots in greater Philly and Jersey have never heard of their namesake. Aldous Huxley was the British author of the 1932 dystopian classic Brave New World and famously had his wife administer a massive dose of LSD to him while on his deathbed – the same day that JFK was assassinated. Yet his writings and insights – and other deeply literary influences – play a meaningful role in the close-knit four- piece group’s foundational aesthetic. They follow their critically acclaimed full length self-titled debut with ‘Home, Stockholm’ an EP that builds on their artful balance of brooding rock energy and a deeply reflective sense of social consciousness.

All This Huxley co-founder and guitarist Trevor Serine is excited that those who have listened so far have all commented that the five new tracks make for some damn fine driving music. It reflects elements of the members’ varied individual backgrounds. Before joining All This Huxley, bassist Alex Marlys was in a punk band. Trevor brings a blues and folk, Tom Petty and Tom Waits inspired vibe. Guitarist John Corcoran offers a jazz element, and drummer/percussionist Josh Mayer is a full-time musician who has played in bands of nearly every style.

The origins of the band trace back to 2013, when Trevor and John met as students at Drexel Law School in Philly. Their first basement driven music project The Jazz Frogs evolved into All This Huxley with the inclusion of Alex and Josh, veteran musicians John had grown up with. This truly “brotherly love” is the driving force behind their tight, seamless chemistry. With each member contributing lead vocals, their sound includes pulsing drums and towering guitar riffs, offset by a laid-back acoustic driven folk vibe on other tracks.

Home, Stockholm was actually crafted very differently than our previous album,” he says. “Our main goal was to create music that continued to incorporate a wide range of genres and influences, including our first album, while preserving our unique sound and style. ‘Comrade II’ is my take on our 1984-inspired track ‘Comrade Winston Smith.’ We wrote it to be a complete standalone, but if you listen to both back to back, you can hear how we built upon the essence of our first album and how it still guides us as we continue to grow as songwriters and musicians.”

The tracks include the hypnotic and moody, mid-tempo whistling rocker “Stockholm,” about the consequences of being manipulated in a trap that leaves you “bitter at the end;” the sultry and infectious rock/soul ballad “Comrade II,” which taps into our longing to be free from the watchful eye of anyone (and ties perfectly into one of Trevor’s specialties as a lawyer, privacy); the alternately dreamy and punk-edged “Dunkirk,” about people needing shelter once the brakes in life come off; the socially observant trip-rocker “One of These Things”; and the deeply metaphorical lament about a “Stolen Ring Buoy.”

Home, Stockholm has only a couple of tracks that we had performed prior to the studio sessions, (and one we had never played together) so not only were we experimenting on-the-fly, but also we were operating without much feedback from fans,” Trevor says. “I recall that one of the tracks off the EP, “Stockholm,” was almost junked after day 1 because at the time we couldn’t get it the right feel – now, that song is one of our favorites. Ultimately, this process allowed us more freedom with the new EP, and provided more opportunities for each member to put a personal touch on it. We’re staying true to our roots and core sound while creating songs with more meaning and depth.”

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