The Hara - ‘We All Wear Black’ - EP review
The Hara – We All Wear Black (Scruff of the Neck Records)
Manchester-based alternative rock trio The Hara released their brand new EP ‘We All Wear Black’ last week and are using it to prove themselves as one of the most exciting new bands in the UK. This band have really made waves over the last 12 months, despite the challenges thrown at them from the pandemic, with some major UK festival appearances at the Download Pilot and on the main stage at Reading & Leeds Festival.
The EP gets off to an interesting start with the opening track ‘Fool & The Thief’. The track itself is somewhat reminiscent of acts like Machine Gun Kelly, with some ever so slightly autotuned vocals. It seems an odd choice for the opener considering how slow it feels until the end section that takes heavy inspiration from drum ‘n’ bass music with quick drum beats that compliment drummer Jack Kennedy’s driving beats.
The second track ‘Die In The City’ should have been an obvious choice for the opener as it showcases everything that makes this band great. It combines front man Josh Taylor’s emotive lyrics with massive rhythms and a shredding guitar outro from guitarist Zack Breen. It has one of those bouncy riffs that carries the entire song on its shoulders and can’t help but make you want to jump around or at least tap your foot. It has the sense of boundless energy that The Hara are known for.
This British outfit are known for being ‘genre fluid’ and ‘We All Wear Black’ is such a good example of why this is. They are able to seamlessly switch between the extremely emotive ‘Domino’ – a track that would sound its best being screamed out by an adoring audience in huge venues – and ‘Black Soul Ceremony’ a fuzzy guitar riff-led track that wouldn’t seem out of place in a Ford F-150 advert (in the absolute best way).
This six song EP was formed in two parts, with tracks four, five and six produced by Jason Perry (Don Broco, McFly) and Andy Gannon. The entire thing is a very good example of how and why THE HARA are beginning to work with big names like these and can play the festival slots they do. The fact that this band can encapsulate so many different genres into a short six tracks is extremely impressive, and they’ve done it very well, with each track feeling like it had each part of the band’s heart and soul poured into it. They can flawlessly switch between these genres and yet still convey the energy they are so well known for throughout. For a band that have barely started their careers, this EP has given their audience a lot to be excited about for their future.
Rating: 7/10
