EP Review: Paper Tigers – Graceless (Self Released)

Paper Tigers are an alternative rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Their new EP is centred around how external and internal forces in your daily life can make you feel GRACELESS, forcing their way into you conscious and subconscious and impinging upon you or your psyche.

Graceless will be released on April 29th, 2022.

Giving the listener plenty of food for thought, with a powerful and thought-provoking blast of alt-rock, the theme that relates to the title of the album comes though strongly. We all struggle with inner-peace but the external influences that surround us, have just as big an impact.

With that in mind, Omission kicks the EP off with a thumping and rhythmic discharge of groovy rock. The instruments are going quite wild but the soaring vocals balance that out, giving it a poppier edge.

Blue Light Trails follows that and touches upon the meaningful idea of searching for happiness in the wrong places such as alcohol. An expression delivered by noisy guitar riffs, intriguing melody and commanding vocals. Before the title track talks about personal struggles with mental health. A heartfelt performance that will have you listening with rapt attention to the lyrical content.

Then, it’s one of the wilder efforts on the EP with Hush, Paper Tigers showing off an array of instrumental ideas that are daringly progressive without losing the alt-rock groove that makes this EP such a memorable listen. Followed by the finale, the unbelievably anthemic Moloko. A reference to The Clockwork Orange. A drink served in the Korova Milk Bar. Moloko Plus (milk plus), a heady cocktail of milk and intoxicants. A chance to lose yourself, step outside of your normal character and give yourself over to what flows in your blood.

The song is about personal relationships, specifically about losing yourself to someone else in a relationship. A very relatable subject matter and one that Paper Tigers express in their unique and unforgettable way.

Graceless is a great EP and it leaves you wanting more. The subject matters come through strongly but are vague enough to not leave too much of a personal imprint on the psyche. Alongside a radio-friendly style of alt-rock that moves and grooves.

Paper Tigers – Graceless Full Track Listing:

1. Omission
2. Blue Light Trails
3. Graceless
4. Hush
5. Moloko

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