top of page
Search
  • ablatinwordy

Nothing But Thieves Moral Panic II EP Album Review

The world is a monster, and now it’s turning.


Photo from Spotify.

Since their inception in the 2010s, the U.K.-based alt-rockers have produced three albums driven by pragmatic instrumentation, distinguishable vocal inflections, and Pop/R&B hooks. The band comprises Conor Mason (lead vocals, and guitars), Joe Langridge-Brown (guitars, and backing vocals), Dominic Craik (guitars, keyboard, piano, and backing vocals), Philip Blake (bass guitar), and James Price (drums, and drum machine).

Conor Mason is one of the most notable frontmen in the rock genre for his stark and poignant baritone vocal melodies and harmonies.

Nothing But Thieves latest effort, Moral Panic II follows the structure of their third album, Moral Panic: an album that capitalizes on societal issues of 2020 (every year if I’m being honest) with the same archaic instrumentation, and vocals they’re known for. After Nothing But Thieves released Moral Panic, they sought to develop Moral Panic II as they felt they needed to address key elements messing in Moral Panic, and they haven’t played the tracks from Moral Panic on tour.

Once they finished the EP, Nothing But Thieves produced five new tracks instead of reworking cuts that didn’t make it on Moral Panic.

Moral Panic II was released July 23, 2020, via RCA and Sony Music. Compared to Moral Panic, Nothing But Thieves takes the EP to a further darker and depressing route. The opening track, “Futureproof” with its striking guitar, hip-hop style drumming, humming sound effects that sound as if the earth’s inner core is bursting, and Conor Mason’s subdued vocals painting a picture of how the world is in peril.


Oh, hang on, did I mention you’re on the hit list? Taking your intention, now it’s irrelevant There’s poison in the water, and we deserve it The future is a monster, and now it’s turning I wanna be future-proof Come and lift me up until I’m higher, higher Vulture coming to steal my youth Throw the pieces down into the fire, fire Liars coming to take my truth I wanna be future-proof

Next is “If I Were You”, which opens with Conor Mason repeating, “If I were you” by listing matters he wouldn’t do if he were us. Matters such as caring about the ones we hurt, or not wanting to see the planet burn. He sings this over versifying guitar riffs, tapping percussion, and call and response vocals in the choruses. Given the instrumentation, it’s the weakest track, but Conor’s crooning helps keeps the song alive.

The third track, “Miracle Baby”, which has R&B/hip-hop sensibilities from Conor Mason’s melodies to the wobbled guitar riffs and lofty synths.

Next is “Ce N’est Rein” (English translation: it’s nothing) opens with quiet guitar chords as Conor Mason digs deep in his bass register as the track rapidly gets heavy with a chunky guitar riff, snares, and Conor’s subtle screams then codas to the passive tempo.



Last, we have the ballad “Your Blood” which brings warm acoustic chords, slight orchestration, and enriching harmony and falsetto from Conor Mason, ending the EP on a cheerless yet fruitful note.

Overall, Moral Panic II is a decent album with solid production and endearing topics. I desired more instrumentally, but Conor Mason’s vocal performance fills the void. If the band heads further into pop, may they continue to develop their sound, and not get lost in the fray of identical bands.

0 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGWJ5XiwbV0

bottom of page