Our Verdict: These City Lights EP 'Where We Stand'

On April 1^st These City Lights unleashed their debut EP ‘Where We Stand’ on the world and successfully established their place in the London Rock scene.

Unfortunately These City Lights have been forced to back out of a couple of shows recently due to Rob Butcher (drums) not being in the best of health. However, they are now preparing for their June tour alongside Kids Can’t Fly and it’s only sensible that we take a close look at “Where We Stand” and reacquaint ourselves with the brilliant work.

As opening tracks go ‘Through Their Eyes’ is exceptional. The pacing guitar lines are exciting. The viscious and dominating drum tracks are aggressive. Together this track is full-on creating an incomparable belligerence that underlines everything this band is about.

There is a two second breather halfway through this opening belter but it doesn’t last long and any live crowd will be plunged back into the heavy head-thrashing that will inevitably ensue.   

It is near impossible to hear that opening track and not take notice because These City Lights make it incredibly palpable that something exhilarating is about to blast through the speakers.

Vocals, delivered by Aaron Paxton, are a more honed version of those associated with The Used’s Bert McCracken. Paxton’s range is truly impressive stretching from wildly fierce to whisperingly sexy in a second.

If you haven’t already seen These City Lights live then the opening to second track ‘Breathe’ should give you some idea of what you’ll be raring to do the second that you get the chance to. Another helping of ferocious drums imitates an adoring crowd smashing their hands together.

Once the adrenaline of the drums begins to subside Paxton’s vocals electrify again by pleading “I need you now.”

Throughout the EP Tommy Earl and Charlie Lunn (guitars) work unbelievably well together to really frame the utter rage that is simmering within “Where We Stand.” If anything this skill is not exhibited enough.

‘Breathe’ finishes on a quieter note that third track ‘Labelled Liar’ picks up from. But don’t worry, it ploughs right back into the fast paced destructive nature that, by now, These City Lights have made the audience need.

Penultimate track ‘Torn Apart’ pulls the same trick off, starting on a slower tempo where the vocals are decelerated to a talking pace. It’s not too long before the track is dragged right back into the gritty anger that this whole EP has been gearing towards.  

With final track ‘Counting Your Sins’ it is safe to say that someone has royally hacked off These City Lights and to that person we say thank you! Without you there would be a ‘Where We Stand’ shaped hole in the world. This last track is a slight change of pace but still perfectly hits the mark. There is a much more sombre middle which includes a stunning a capella moment.

‘Where We Stand’ is available for download (for a price of your choice) from thesecitylights.bandcamp.com. If you want it for free just enter 0.00 when asked.