EP Review: NOISEBOY – RETINA BURN (Self Released)

Out on February 12th, 2025, ‘RETINA BURN’ is the debut EP of industrial/noise/mathcore project NOISEBOY. influenced by the principles ‘Everything must be electronic, except vocals’ and ‘Forever Feral, Forever Noise’, RETINA BURN is a journey of exploring the processing of long-term trauma through sound. When it was written, the only goal was to be as reflective and honest as possible.

I am the right person to listen and write about this release here at GBHBL. Out of all our music writers, I am the ‘noise and industrial’ guy. I find a lot of creativity in those genres (and more like drone) and when it comes from people who have already shown themselves to be so talented, it’s even more exciting. NOISEBOY Is the brainchild of Adam Sedgwick, who most will know from the excellent Tribe of Ghosts, alongside L Bateman.

Let me begin this review with a warning. One that most should understand almost immediately. RETINA BURN is not for everyone. It’s not accessible music. Hell, it’s arguable if it even counts as music in the ‘traditional’ sense. It is the epitome of noise, discordant and disconcerting. Yet, this is what makes it so special. It is an uncomfortable experience, but with that comes unique layers of feeling. It is an unflinchingly honest listening experience, and with that comes a challenge like no other.

It’s a challenge that many will relish, I certainly did, and it’s one that tested me.

Filled with an abrasive array of effects, moving at a manic pace, and shifting in nausea-inducing ways, TEETHGRINDER is a special start. It’s such a concentrated expulsion of noise, yet it is brilliantly structured that you could, almost, move your body to it. It might be more akin to having a fit, but it really works. It is the first exemplary example of the passion that exists in NOISEBOY, something further expressed by the menacing sound of FERAL STAR and the gloomy post-like melody that dominates within TO BREATHE IN CHAOS. The latter track is staggeringly good, all because of how it evolves.

Take a deep breath. It might only be five tracks long, but each is a weighty listen and with no clear idea of what might come next, the experience is consistently rattling. The most challenging track of all? THE ONLY DOUBT IS WHAT WAS REAL. The effects-laden spoken word, monotonous beat, rumble of fuzz and static, it’s pure discomfort in aural form. Yet, once again, proves to be utterly fascinating, especially if you listen to the words.

Finally, it’s the title track and new levels of mania are reached. Pure cathartic chaos that puts one hell of an exclamation point on the record. Hell, it puts several, which as we all know, is a sign of madness (for all you Discworld fans). An unbridled showcase of creativity, NOISEBOY is special. All because it’s for no one and it’s for everyone.

NOISEBOY – RETINA BURN Track Listing:

1. TEETHGRINDER
2. FERAL STAR
3. TO BREATHE IN CHAOS
4. THE ONLY DOUBT IS WHAT WAS REAL
5. RETINA BURN

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