The Exact Opposite-Skill Issue
The Exact Opposite have a fresh, clean slate in front of them. In terms of impact, they have everything on their side. Their debut release is indie rock fused with elements of pop, new wave and all kinds of fun pop. A collection that they have clearly mastered over time and put a lot of effort into. This is their debut album, Skill Issue. The choice of tones and voicing set this band apart. The Exact Opposite aren’t catering to the mainstream palette. Some would say they’re doing the exact opposite. As fun as that pun was, we have to talk about how well they’ve constructed these songs. The jumping groove of Look At Him Go! has you moving for good reason. The balance comes with the unique bass line, and the beautiful vocals-as inspiring as they are.This is the first time you’re hearing of this band, so sure, you can make your assumptions. The band might have predicted this, for the disco groove of What We Do at Night greets us. It is an electric number with some catchy, light tones. They’re adept at keeping soundscapes entertaining, so there are pockets where you can just enjoy the rhythms. The R.E.M styled track Long Walk holds your attention with its acoustic brilliance. As minimal as it is, you know the build is going to be a heart-stopper. To make a truly alternative experience, The Exact Opposite seem to meld elements of indie rock with new wave, pop and and funk as well. I assume they view it as extensions of their mood-and they nail the vibe every time. Jamie Stuart and Nigel Powell are the new wave of the new wave of Britpop, but not just limited to that. It is not only an ode to their chemistry, but what it has blossomed into, knowing each other for so long. You Made Us Proud has a riff that the crowd will be yelling at the beginning of shows. If the riff itself is not a brain tattoo, there is the extremely interesting percussion groove, that claims the rest of the space. It is in places like this where you feel like you’re listening to the 00s energy of The Strokes, or the percussive kicks of The Pixies. Ever-evolving, never at rest-this band is the conversation of our times. FFS brings their unique style to an indie rock groove gem. There’s no chance a song like this doesn’t plaster a smile across your face-for good reason. If I have to be totally honest, I don’t think any band has reached across the genre spectrums to prepare such a delicious recipe. It is a band that not only needs more recognition, but airtime from you-when they voice so many of our minds with such eloquence. This would be a great album for the series Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. Not only do the songs show a lot of range, but the unique approach is something a show like this needs. Listen to their album above and follow them on their socials for more like this!