Photos by Tracy Creighton of Tracy CopperBlue Photography (unless otherwise stated).
Album: Little Darkness Artist: Little Darkness
Release Date: 2024 Sep 06
Current Band Lineup:
Aurora Bella - Lead Vocals, guitar, keyboard
Declan Hills - Guitar, vocals
Dawson Wayne - Bass, vocals
Tony Sticks - Drums
Dropping today is Little Darkness’ self-titled debut album. Describing themselves as “melodic alt rock with hints of rage”, this Saskatoon-based band delivers an epic sonic journey. Little Darkness recently had an exciting line-up change from Shea Goyer (also of Valley Bandits) to Declan Hills (also of Unproductive). While Goyer helped bring this album to life, Hills is a much-welcomed addition to the band as Goyer now focuses on Valley Bandits.
Bella sent me an early copy of the album that took me back to the 90s. It's been a long while since I listened to a CD from start to finish and I’ve been binge-listening to it on repeat all week. Let me preface this review by saying I generally listen to the heavy stuff. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tara and I'm a metal addict. Why is this important? Well if you know anything about us metalheads, we swear by our lifeblood. Metal runs in our veins and we don't often like to dilute that with "other" stuff. I can tell you now, that I'm happily injecting Little Darkness.
According to Bella, the Little Darkness "isn't so much thematic as it is a collection of stories" aimed at bridging age-old tales with the need for modern social change. If that is their aim, I'd say they succeeded but there is an overarching theme even if they aren't aware. Underlying motivations. This is clear when "Cinderella" asks “Why do you believe . . .?” and "Prometheus" asks "Just how much is it worth?". And when they state “It won’t interfere with my ambitions” in “Hard Working Politician” or "I don't want . . ." in "18". Every song cuts to that perfect mystery of life: why we do the things we do. Combined with an everchanging soundscape, this makes for a grand tale.
Throughout the tracks, I recognize, but can't pinpoint Little Darkness' influences. I hear hints of old-school Gwen Stefani in her No Doubt days. There are pops of Lo-fi and punk as well as some vintage-sounding riffs. Since they keep you guessing, you never get bored even after listening to the album 20 times in one day. While no two songs sound alike, they are all undeniably Little Darkness. This is an exemplary example of cultivating a variety of influences into a distinct sound.
You can listen for yourself starting today.
Stand Out Songs
18
"18" is my favourite track on the album. It belongs in a Quentin Tarantino movie. Every time I listen to it I'm transported into a weird version of Pulp Fiction or Kill Bill. The track has a vintage vibe and vivid imagery. "We drove by the light of the moon with our headlights off." Both introspective and angsty it takes you back to the trials and tribulations of youthful love and heartbreak by building a haunting but classic scene in your mind.
My Useless Lungs
While not my jam, this track stands out because it's extremely unlike the rest. I don't even quite know how to describe it. Sarcastic, cheesy, political and funny? Starting almost folksy and then veering suddenly into punk territory. It blends humour with serious concerns in a memorable way. Be sure to catch this one live.
Prometheus
Another song with wonderful imagery and it opens with a deadly bass line. Have I mentioned how much I love bass? This intro is perfect. It's clear why this was the first track they released. It draws you in and takes you for a ride. "Chain me Prometheus" is a catchy lyric that invites you to sing along while wondering what's happening to the world.
Narcissus
This song caught me by surprise. Initially quite mellow, it captured my attention immediately. But magic truly happens when Wayne joins Bella halfway through the track providing a subtly beautiful compliment to Bella's powerful voice. The lyrics are honest, raw and completely relatable. This track brought me goosebumps and is far from my typical music fare.
Final Thoughts
If this is Little Darkness' opening act, I can't wait to see where they are going. This debut album is engaging, catchy and extremely polished. Well done!
Celebrate the Little Darkness album release with Little Darkness tomorrow night at Amigos Cantina in Saskatoon. You can get tickets here: https://www.amigoscantina.com/events/little-darkness-album-release-show-w-unproductive-and-landfall/ or at the door.
Until then, a glimpse of what you'll see at Amigo's:
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