Arts & Culture
Gig Monkey reviews... All Ears Avow - Edge of This (EP)

All Ears Avow continue their relentless march towards world domination with yet another cracking selection of songs, making them surely the most prolific and consistent band to come out of Wiltshire in some time.

The relentless work rate is paying dividends however – not only are their live shows some of the best you will see with bigger and bigger crowds, the constant playing helps hone the songs and playing into inch-perfect form with no rough edges – technically perfect and artistically accomplished.

The whole of ‘Edge of This’ is a compelling blend of crunching riffs, slick melodies and polished production, principally pulling in elements of modern alternative rock, pop-punk, melodic metal and even atmospheric electronica. It is then peppered with almost imperceptible traces of soul, rhythm & blues and funk, nods to the historic roots of all that is good in music.

The pace of the record is relentless, with even the more downbeat moments having a drive and dynamism that keeps dragging the listener along with it. Just For Me follows the relentless opening trio of Caged, Gone and Hurricane, calming you down then picking you up and putting you down again and again, following the band’s usual M.O. of not ever quite allowing the listener to take a step off the ride they are taking you on.

Title track Edge of This follows similar tactics, completing a mid EP pit-stop before you are blasted back to the stratosphere with closer The Middle. You are with them for the duration – All Ears Avow are becoming masters of dynamics, structure and momentum, and this EP is the new pinnacle of their achievement.