EP Review: Vice // World’s &
Formed by vocalist Natalie Anston and guitarist Bruno Kaddar in 2017, World’s & merges elements of post-punk, indie-rock and indie-pop in their unique sound. In 2019, Bruno left the group, however, César Dyrberg (guitar) and Lucas Innocenti (drums) joined Natalie to form the current lineup of World’s &. Bringing together their various influences, the Switzerland-based trio are pumping out passionate singles left, right and centre. The latest addition to their well-received discography is the EP Vice.
Working with Yvan Bing and Greg Dubuis, World’s & recorded Vice at Kitchen Studio in Geneva. Combining pounding drums, energetic guitars, dynamic keys and Natalie’s hypnotic vocals, the four-track EP is a powerful kaleidoscopic soundscape. Nodding to the contemporary alt-rock acts like Paramore and Evanescence, but with a strong melodic metal influence, Vice is an overwhelming blast of rock music. Yet, while there is a common melodic metal thread weaving throughout the tracks, World’s & showcase their versatility by traversing several styles, paces and tones – a true sign they are not to be pigeon-holed.
Beginning with the forceful ‘One’, the trio introduces themselves with a fiery blast of sound. A melodic cascade of forceful harmonies, World’s & captivates you pulling you into a pool of explosive music. Oddly enough, the trio leaves behind their energetic sound and fall into soulful, haunting ballads. From the languid ‘Look At The Stars’ to the breath-taking ‘Ocean’, World’s & expose their softer, sentimental sound.
While the EP has a sonic depth, there is also a depth in content. Touching on issues in relationships, inner struggle, frustration and vices, Vice is a web of poetic complexity. With their unique sound, Natalie and the lads expose the essence of human fragility. I find this sonic representation of fragility is exquisitely captured by the operatic vocals and moving instrumentation.
It is difficult to choose a favourite single but I believe my preferred song is the final track ‘Vice’. Nodding to the work of Alanis Morisette, the single looks at the topic of vices. Yet, it is not the subject matter that captivates me but the harmonic alignment of content and melody. Ending with spine-tingling chaos of opera and rock, World’s & show they are breaking boundaries in a stagnant indie environment.