MUSIC REVIEW: Seven Spies - Chameleon.

This might be an uncertain time for the Arts industry, but lots of creative things are happening in the background as we’re all staying safe at home. I have no doubt the industry will bounce back. Today, I’ve listened to Seven Spies’ debut single “Chameleon” – they are a band based in London. Comprised of three members who are childhood friends, Seven Spies aim to infiltrate the ears of the world.

Before the unprecedented times we’re in now, the band played gigs around London and on the UK music scene and I wish them every success going forward. David Blomiley sings vocals, plays the guitar and keyboard. Hitting the drums is Olly Brown. Playing the sonorous bass guitar is Sam Weston.

There is a lot riding on a debut track. You want to make it clear to the listener who you are as a band, what genre and style you play, and what lyrically do you write about. I think this song packed a punch. Within the familiar structure parts of verse, bridge, and chorus, there were other musical elements which they made their own. You could hear influences of Indie Rock, crossing into Electronic which drew on harsh, raucous, and provocative sounds. The musical texturing was noisy, busy, and thick for the most part. When the texture was thin or the composition became silent it was an effective momentary contrast before the music kicked back in again.

When you reflected on the lyrics, you could understand why the music sounded like it did. Lyrically, the song was about the pressures of life affecting a person. There was an all-encompassing theme of self-doubt and reference to the heterogeneous self. Which version of yourself do you present to the world; what mask do you wear in social situations? What inner demons do you try to hide? However, musically, I felt overall it was positive and liberating: sending the important message it is okay to let your guard down and show vulnerability. Consequently, I don’t think I got to experience those darker aspects to the song as much.

Blomiley’s singing voice is impressively unusual. His stratospheric vocals in the song showed off his range, colourful tone, and falsetto with added reverb. His harmonies like in the motif, “Oh, oh, oh” were nicely subtle. In complete contrast to the bold and distorted guitar sound effect creating this auditory shaking through my headphones. I picked up on a suaveness and underlying punk attitude to the track too.

In conclusion, this is a solid debut single from Seven Spies. It was dynamic, colourful, and multi-layered; as music leaped through your lug hole. No wonder they called it “Chameleon”. I’m sure this band aren’t afraid to show off their true colours.

Reviewer - Sam Lowe