REVIEW - BATHTUB

BBC Radio Introducing voted Bathtub ‘most likely to make it big in 2021’. These boys definitely intend to claim their title as they start the year off with a bang. This is their second single in their new era; the music coming out of Bathtub feels fresh, passionate and self-assured. They have dominated Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham and Liverpool with their infectious energy on stage, and are now on the road to conquering the North.

Their new single Fallin’ THRU, produced by Sam Bloor, was recorded at Lower Lane Studios in early September 2020. This song needs to be listened to with big headphones at full blast, to get as close to the experience of their gigs as possible. Better yet, you can also listen to their live performance of the track at The Honey Box Sessions, recorded at King Street Studios, back in November 2020. And to top it all off, following the release of Fallin’ THRU will be a music video.

The fact that Bathtub is a two-piece and has managed to pull off such a powerful song, speaks volumes about how dedicated and innovative this band is, which really shows through their music. Brandon’s drums capture the classic nature of rock, he creates the solid foundations that bring forward the progressiveness of Olly’s bass. You’d be forgiven for thinking they use an electric guitar on the song, as by getting modern tech into the rock scene, they track the bass and play it on an octave pedal. I’ve never heard a guitar style riff on bass played so well.

This song is ashamedly relatable and cynical to its core, with lyrics like ‘I never got tired of you, just tired of the wall that you always left me talking to’, building visuals of wanting to break free of a toxic relationship that you keep going back top. The dynamics of a hard rock song with vulnerable and helpless lyrics ‘tryna find a door through paper walls’ are commendable. Olly is very self-aware when writing, painting a frustrating scene that is laced with satire. You can feel that pent up frustration released in the middle 8 and the opportunity and space for the listener to go crazy, letting out their own suppressed feelings.

Bathtub’s sound on their album, Get Ducked, was electric but their transition into this new era of New Rock seems to be their calling. If you haven’t heard Introduction, go and listen, then play Fallin’ THRU straight after. Introduction is the perfect first song to an album, it’s self-affirming, catchy, empowering, and it perfectly leads into the opening hook of Fallin’ THRU. In fact, play them in whatever order you want because you will be hooked either way. This track makes you feel invincible. I can’t wait to see more from these guys and you’ll see me, the first one in the mosh pit when this song is playing. If you like Metallica, the Foo Fighters, Royal Blood or DON BROCO, then you better make space for Bathtub on your playlists. I’m telling you; this is a band you need to watch out for.