Album Name: Starlight
Artist: Elysian Pariah
Released: September 2023
Rating: 6.5/10
Tracklist
When I Fly
Starlight
Hold On
Play It Right
El Espaniol
Help
Song 1
Oh Yeah
Scottish hard rock band Elysian Pariah released their first full-length album 'Starlight' back in September, the eight-track is comprised of genre testing songs with something for everyone. Born from the halls of Riverside College the Scottish rock band have been honing their skills on local stages. 'Starlight' is Elysian Pariah's first album with only a couple of singles coming before it. The full-length marks a big step on the groups musical journey.
"Everyone's dream bipolar playlist" - (Elysian Pariah)
Being described by the band as a bipolar playlist feels very fitting to the hard rock eight-track. Some songs are more aggressive and heavy while others are gentle, 'Starlight' seems to wander through genres touching upon anything from pop to punk to rock. Opening track 'When I Fly' begins with a piano interlude type moment that swells into an emotion charged ballad. It's delicate and really reminded me of early 2000's Disney Channel songs. Heading in a completely different direction the next one 'Starlight' which rolls in with hard rock guitars and rough vocals. There's a much darker tone to this one than the opener and I actually had to check that I was still listening to the same album. This track may not be technically perfect but it has a nice rhythm and even shows off some more gutteral vocals. Changing up the style again is the 70's feeling chill rock 'Hold On'. This one for me had potential to be something I enjoyed but I just felt like there was something missing, something that I can't put my finger on. The next two tracks 'Play It Right' and 'El Espaniol' I did quite enjoy. Again, their not amazing sounding or perfect but Elysian Pariah deliver high energy punk sounding hard rock that you can't help but listen to. 'Play It Right' is very repetitive but it works and having personally spent a lot of time going to local Scottish gigs I can easily picture this one fitting that scene. 'El Espaniol' comes in with a cool intro and explodes into a similar kind of hard rock/punk sound. 'Help' is an easy favourite on 'Starlight' and I can fully see why this is the lead single from the album. Again, there is a local band feel to it but it's vibrant and welcoming. The track focusses on human connection and is about how we all need support and seems to be thanking those people that are there for us when we need them. In my opinion this is easily the strongest track from Elysian Pariah and I would like to hear more of this kind of style from them. 'Song 1' sticks with the upbeat energy but I just couldn't get into this one. I felt as though the vocals were getting lost in the mix and the song just doesn't stand out in any way for me. 'Oh Yeah' is a similar kind of deal again where I feel like it could've been a good song but it just wasn't quite to my taste. I thought at times it sounded a little disjointed and I just couldn't get into it.
Overall, for me 'Starlight' is a good first album. I think that Elysian Pariah have potential and the album shows that off. However I don't think I will be returning to this one and would rather be waiting to see what the Scottish rock group have to offer in the future. Having said that though I would recommend their song 'Help' as I did like the feel-good and uplifting energy of it. Elysian Pariah are currently working to record a Christmas track that will be released as a charity single to raise funds for a cause close to their hearts.
Elysian Pariah are
William Moir: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals Rebecca Glancy: Vocals & Keyboard Jay Roberts: Lead Guitar Lewis Robb: Bass Euan Coote: Drums
Elysian Pariah online
