It turns out that the alt music scene isn’t immune to the sleepy January lull. Apart from the occasional hype-worthy ripple (looking at you, Gabe Woodrow and Harsh Symmetry), my release radar has been markedly static since the start of the new year. I’d almost called it a wash, turning to my inbox in the hopes of slating some content for February and March, when I landed on a press release I’d totally managed to miss. Damn, that would’ve been a nasty oversight.
If you’ve followed my work in any capacity, you’ve likely recognized that I have a taste for vivid eclecticism in music. While I can appreciate songs that fit fully within the confines of any singular style, I luxuriate in the blurring of those lines. So, when I read that an emerging band from Manchester called Alchemize would be releasing a R&B/metal fusion single, I broke out the calendar and eagerly scribbled “Red Lights” under January 24.
Admittedly, I feel the slightest bit guilty for not having forwarded this one onto Kay Korvid. As a metal devotee, she has a particular gift for honing into the nuances of the genre that I just don’t possess. Alas, “Red Lights” turned out to be an oozy, euphoric treat and I’m a selfish brat inclined to hoard releases that are easy to compliment.
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All cheekiness aside, the beauty of this track is that it’s distinctly accessible. Yes, it has tasteful infusions of deeply melodic metal interspersed between suave riffs and punchy, adrenalized beats. But you don’t need to be a metal or R&B enthusiast to pick up what this savvy outfit is putting down. It’s reminiscent of the funkier side of 2010s post-hardcore, playful and polished but with a flicker of aggression that really drives its intrigue.
We’d be remiss in looking past “Red Lights” as a defining moment for Alchemize, who signed to Year Of The Rat Records last summer just months after their initial debut. Taking a step onto level ground, the song is stylishly contextualized by the well-curated turbulence of the five singles that preceded it. It finds the heart pulsing through their heavier territory, ignited by “Mixed Signals,” and steadies it against the shimmery, pop-reminiscent sensibilities first exemplified in “In Two Minds.”
I won’t go so far as to argue that it’s the best track that the band has released so far—if only because they’ve demonstrated such wide-reaching appeal throughout their limited catalog. Despite the limited number of releases, even the most scathing critics would have to concede to liking something here. That said, “Red Lights” is certainly a compelling place to first dip your toes.
Give it a listen and check out the music video below.
Swimming in an ever-rising sea of 2000s emo nostalgia, music journalist Mala Mortensa only surfaces to dig into the depths of the modern alternative underground. Soundtracked by a neverending Spotify queue, she spends most of her free time perfecting heavy eyeliner looks, chilling with her two insane-o dogs, and anxiously waiting for the next AFI tour.