QR Music Review: Fox Colony - Fragile: An 11-minute snapshot of modern love and life
A cold, windy night on Tuesday 11th September. A night where you couldn't be blamed for wanting to sit in with a cuppa, but that's not how things work in Belfast. The sesh was calling, and Fox Colony were dropping their new EP 'Fragile' in Voodoo - how could you ever pass it up?! An impressive crowd thought just the same, and braced the elements to witness an evening of live bliss and musical energy.
A jaw-dropping line-up featuring some of the 'best-bits' of the local Northern Irish music scene helped make this launch one to remember. Derry's finest punk-rockers Cherym and our electronic queen Roe were joined on the support slots by the newcomers from the North Coast, sweater cult. The latter opened the evening with a rapturous set of rocking anthems; an impressive set for a band who only released their first tracks at the end of June. Cherym then came on all-guns blazing, ripping through punking tune after tune as if it's easy - a flawless set once again, but you really can't expect anything less from the band who have been nominated for multiple Northern Ireland Music Prize awards. Another nominee for multiple NI music prize awards and another flawless perfromance came from Roe. The former QR Underground perfromer impressed once again, with a set perfecting the art of electronic pop.
The main event, the headline slot from Fox Colony, did not disappoint. The band who describe themselves as 'fuzzy indie-pop' came to the stage in a now-packed-out Voodoo, amidst an ecstatic applause from fans and friends alike. Playing old fan favourites such as 'Baseball Bat' alongside the tracks from the new EP, Fox Colony proved why so many had came along to witness their euphoric launch. 'Fragile' reads like an ode to modern love and life, with the title track finishing the album on a note that shows no matter how we feel, there is fragility to be found in each of us. The leading single and first track from the EP, 'Supermarkets', is a sweet pop-rock delight with a powerful guitar riff and catchy chorus that rings out with a refrain of"I've been stuck in my mind / you keep taking my time / how can it be worked out / when you keep taking my time." It's a song that screams of modern perills, such as overuse of the internet, climate change, businesses valuing profit over employees, and toxicity in relationships, but still comes across as a fun-filled track that will get you jumping along at a gig. You can check out the new music video for the track below:
The synth intro on 'Don't Keep Me Here' provides a shake-up, but doesn't throw off the tempo of the previous tracks. Another song that will get you headbanging along at a show, and follows on well to the slower 'Fractured', a song fanning out from the light guitar riff that pushes it along. This is a tune that already seems to be a fan favourite, with a lot of the crowd already singing along.
The newest addition to Fox Colony's discography is a delight and a happy welcome to the ever-growing category of 'local bangers.'
Make sure to check the band out over on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and you can listen to 'Fragile' over on Spotify.
By Jane Corscadden