Goodbye musical boredom; goodbye stagnant songs that leave you with little substance; goodbye shitty music.
HELLO BEXATRON!
BEXATRON: Belle Star - drums; BeXxx - vocals; Gregster - guitar; Adam - bass
This London-based four piece is the sort of band that you ought to hear for a midweek pick-me-up or, in my case, a dreary Monday morning. Their debut album Hey You! caught my attention.
Instantly, you’d almost think it was some cross between Blondie and The New York Dolls. But no, this is an album that came out in late 2019 - yet one that easily could have come out in the late 1970s.
What grabs you from the first listen is Bex’s voice. This is probably where I pull the Blondie influence, but, you know, it’s there. And it definitely contributes to why it was an instant appreciation for me.
At the same time, it is very easy to put labels on bands like this.
‘Retro’. ‘Nostalgic’.
And I find myself refraining from using those labels because it is easy to label a band and box a band in by their influences. What really stands out and sticks with you is a band’s sound, regardless of influences.
And what you hear is unadulterated rock-n-roll that shines with the lights of glam and the undialed-back attitude of punk.
Because you don’t dial back this type of music. You would lose the energy, the passion, the catchiness and just great vibes this album carries. You just wouldn’t do such a thing.
The music hails from London, and the influence of the city certainly plays a part on the music. With topics of go-go dancing, partying aftermath, and more partying, it makes for a really great listen.
From the opening track “Get Out of My Tree”, it is hard-hitting pop-punk from the get-go. The tracks are no longer than they have to be - but nor are they rushed. Perfect in length, oozing with punk and glam, Hey You! is a super fun album.
“Dirty Disco” was released as the first single. It is also where the album title comes from in the opening lyrics. I find the song to be a delight! Bex’s vocals are supported so strongly by the rest of this amazing band: bassist Adam, guitarist Gregster, and drummer Belle.
This first single is so wonderfully late 1970s/early 1980s - but even if you don’t reflect on the past, it sounds refreshing. If I was switching between radio stations, this sort of sound is what would make me stop and want to hear more. The band’s strengths - with the most obvious being an accomplished desire for catchiness - are seen here.
Sometimes, a single from an album is where it seems all a band’s efforts have gone into, leaving the album to have some tracks that are not as high quality.
This is not the case with Bexatron.
As I listened to the album, I knew even from the very beginning that this would be one of those albums that I could put on just to hear some great music.
It is difficult to pick a favorite track because I am indecisive like that, especially with an album like this. So, instead, I will pick some highlights:
I could easily list out the whole entire first side - but many of the tracks have the same strengths. Which is good because if I like one track and there are similar ones, well, it is pretty much guaranteed I will like the rest.
One of the songs that first caught my attention was “I’m Trash”. This track was released as a second single. I don’t know if it is the lyrics or how they are delivered - or, more likely, both! - but it was the song that really sealed it for me with this band. The guitar groove is magnificent and it sounds totally out there, just free-floating in a land of punk-glam osmosis. You just want to move to the groove. And the chorus is so refreshing, catchy, and driving. I really like the guitar part and the last verse with focusing on the drums is an awesome interlude.
Another track that really sticks out is “Hex Your Ex”. Like much of the first side, this is an exhibition of driving, running punk-rock that is relentless. The closing track to the album, I find it is a lovely reflection of the stream the opening track “Get Out of My Tree” started. Hard-hitting like the beginning, it makes you want to hear the album all over again!
At the end of the day if you want a band that will brighten up your day and make you feel like a badass, look no further than Bexatron! A great debut that at its core is just fun music but also exhibits excellent musicality. So hello to Bexatron and let their music rock your soul with their glam and punk attributions!
HEAR THE ALBUM HERE:
FIND THE BAND'S WEBSITE HERE:
Comments