Artio- Backbone (EP Review)

Words - Craig Carrington-Porter

Artio are trucking out of Leeds to show their new set of songs, compiled together in their sophomore EP, ‘Backbone.’

Artistically their songs are a blend of synth, emotional techno beats that have a pace you could dance to but the lyrical aesthetic to lay down in bed to as well. And chill.

Making waves in the southern part of the land, Artio gained recognition through their first EP, ‘Sedative.’ With ‘Backbone’ their is a step forward, a stronger feeling to grab the attention that they deserve and this has been proven by the fact that ‘Scissor Kill,’ the third track in the EP, was chosen by BBC introducing West Yorkshire as track of the week. The song starts hushed with the lyrics; “I’m watching you, I’m hearing you, you’re leaving me for death.” I love the flow of the euphoric chorus. It engages with you and its not littered with heavy synth and there is a bass answering to the harmony of the vocals.

‘Backbone’ opens with the track, ‘Hide Them From Me.’ Its a daxy, no fucking around track and the vocals take centre stage. There is such control in there as Hol Brazill keeps clarity while shifting between pitches and makes no scarifies for the tones in her own voice.

‘Arrow,’ the second track on the EP, congeals much of the elastic euphoric that was given to us in ‘Hide Them From Me.’ There are hints of Billie Eilish and the better colour pallet of alternative synth acts that have come before.

Artio begin their tour this week and the best part is! It begins in Glasgow at the 13th note cafe on the 15th of February (this Saturday). From here, the band travels through Newcastle, Hull, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester. The EP ‘Backbone’ is due for release early next month on the 6th of March.

Their fourth track ‘Dancing In The Ashes’ reminds me of being in the Reading Rooms in Dundee. 6ft tall speakers piled high in groups of three with spaced out minds rubbing up against the vibrations. Anyway, back from the nostalgia trip, the track has a thick cement of beat to it. Shuffling away from their more pop driven songs. ‘Dancing In The Ashes’ has a climatic approach and a hunter/killer vibe in its rhythm.

The two final tracks of the EP confirm the strength of Artio’s song writing. ‘Fear Is Funny’ has already become my own favourite. And I’m sure you, (the reader/listener) will have your own. It begins with a sample of narrative and leans more into the dance-techno genre. It is structured more into sections with the mid break down being an impressive layering of bass, synth and added backing vocals. Leuan Jones and Rob Arkle create a strong foot hold making you appreciate the balance between strong vocals and a steady, harmonic and rhythmic beat. ‘Backbone’ ends the EP and its the closing chapter to a collection of romantically dystopian tunes. The song (Backbone) isn’t grudged or exhausted. It flitters through and fades beautifully out leaving you wanting more.

Overall, Im jealous, jealous of the fact that I have absolutely no idea how to write songs like this. But isn’t that what makes it great? Being able to listen to someone’s else or in this case, a trio of individuals interpretation of alt synth pop. Keep in mind troops, February 15th for the 13th note live show and the EP comes out on the 6th of March.