Reviewed by Kim Thornley
Release date: 15/06/20
Whilst most people during the 2020 lockdown were doing DIY home-improvements, gardening projects and watching boxsets; Sylvie, Terri & Dave decided to get creative and form a band. Project X was the result.
They are a classic power trio producing some wonderfully chugging stoner rock clearly showing their heavy grungy roots. Their sound reminds me of the type of heavy stoner rock which was prevalent on the American West Coast from the 90s to this day. If the likes of QotSA, Failure and Queen Kwong are your thing, you’ll love Project X. What makes them feel more contemporary and closer to home is the beautifully sweet vocals from Sylvie – very laid-back, angsty, moody, soulful and wistful.
On One, Terri’s short opening bassline had me well and truly hooked and when Dave’s drums and Sylvie’s guitar crashed the party eight seconds later, I was entranced by their simple but effective grunge riff. At thirty-four seconds, Sylvie’s low-key vocals cut through beautifully with poignant lyrics. The song has all the ingredients to keep your average stoner rock freak happy.
The drums underpin the song with a solid backbone which compliments the arrangement, letting the bass and guitar blend beautifully, with the vocals being the cherry on top of the cake. It is a slow-burn chilled-out, head-nodding, foot-tapping stoner grunge fest – and I love it.
They are a tight unit that chugs along sublimely with a laid-back intensity and finish decisively (no cheesy fade out for these guys) – they left me wanting to hear more, so I checked out their Facebook page and listened to their two demos: a version of One and a version of Breathe. I have to say that from what I have heard so far, I will be in the front of the queue for their CD album when the absence of lockdown will allow it (I do love the proper product).
On a technical note, they worked on their tunes remotely and it was mixed at Fitdog Studios. One was released digitally this June via Tune Core Distribution, along with a short vinyl run (with the Breathe as the B-Side).
The single is registered in the UK, the US, Canada and Germany for chart purposes. Within the first week of release, One has already obtained radio play in over 42 countries and radio coverage in 30 US states.
The band filmed a video for One at three remote locations during UK lockdown, which will be screened as part of some ‘remote’ festivals taking place in the UK during the Summer of 2020.
I am sure that once the music scene is up and running again, they will go down a storm in your local venues and build up a solid fan base. One is a fantastic jumping-off point and I wish them all the success that the promise of One deserves.
A fantastic debut – go get your copy – five out of five.
The band members are: Sylvie Studente – Vocals / Guitar
Terri De Marco – Bass
Dave Forster – Drums
Watch the video for One (demo) here.
Preview/buy One from iTunes here.
If you would like to share this review, please help us by using the share buttons below instead of a screen print – thanks!