Newcastle's fresh-faced four-piece The Owls have released their self-titled debut disc that runs
just five tracks deep. Don’t let
its length fool you; this short but sweet set offers a little bit of everything
from pop rock to country and whatever matter falls in between.

What The Owls do best
is play with nuance and a diverse range of sounds.  For every trace of an oddly laced (but carefully placed) noise is something with a
little more substance; from what can only be guessed as a castanet playfully
flirting with a kick drum, to the bare, unedited screeching of fingers sliding down guitar strings as chords are changed.

Opening track "Go, Let
It Go" is unequivocally the best of the set. It’s frenetic, high energy pace and dare-you-not-to-move
attitude sets a tone that just isn’t met in the following slow-burning tracks.  That’s not to say the rest are bad (they
truly aren’t; they’re passionate, harmonic and superbly executed), but it feels
like a false start that the EP doesn’t really recover from.

What The Owls present
as a finished product is, sure enough, a tidy little showcase that deserves
some merit.  Check it out and keep
posted – these guys are on to something.

Review Score: 7.5/10