All This Huxley - Home, Stockholm
Philly’s indie rock outfit All This Huxley recently dropped their EP, Home, Stockholm, the follow-up to their self-titled debut album.
All This Huxley
Named after British author Aldous Huxley of Brave New World fame, the band’s genesis took place in 2013, when Trevor Serine (guitar) and John Corcoran (guitar) hooked up to form The Jazz Frogs, while attending Drexel Law School. Later, they added Alex Marlys (bass) and Josh Mayer (drums) and The Jazz Frogs made way for All This Huxley.
According to Serine, “Home, Stockholm was actually crafted very differently than our previous album. 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 band’s eclectic musical backgrounds, ranging from punk to blues and jazz, results in a sound that blends rock, blues, and Americana.
Encompassing five-tracks, the first song on the EP is “Stockholm,” an alt-rock tune flavored with dark aromas atop a measured crisp groove. Low-slung lead vocals, backed by sharp vocal injections and a whistling tone, give the tune a serious mood. “Comrade II” rides a syncopated beat with subdued jangly guitars filling the tune with radiant resonance. Rich vocals infuse the tune with dulcet tones.
The last track, “Ring Buoy,” delivers Celtic-flavored alt-rock savors on rumbling drums. Inflected vocals infuse the lyrics with an exotic burr.
“Dunkirk” opens on slow, oozing guitar riffs flowing into a stellar guitar-laced melody with punk-lite flavors and a measured groove. There’s a British-invasion fragrance to the vocals on this track, a little reminiscent of The Kinks.
“One Of These Things” rides bright guitars traveling over a compact rhythm. Hints of bluesy flavors run through the tune, imbuing it with tantalizing allure. A penetrating guitar solo highlights the harmonics, along with gentle vocal harmonies.
The last track, “Ring Buoy,” delivers Celtic-flavored alt-rock savors on rumbling drums. Inflected vocals infuse the lyrics with an exotic burr. This is my favorite track on the EP because of its reverberating flow.
Home, Stockholm is a strong EP, rife with both dark and light energy, resounding melodies, and subtle yet unique vocals.
