Life in Mono - Blackout/Sex to White Noise

by Julie Cruickshank

published: 8 / 11 / 2022

Life in Mono - Blackout/Sex to White Noise

Label: HH Music
Format: Download

Impressive, intense double A-side single from alt-rock band Life In Mono.

Review

Bristol-based Life In Mono have been gathering plaudits for their recent single release ‘The Cold’, and exciting live shows. Fronted by Sarah Clayton, with guitars from James Davis, Adam DT on bass and Mike Gill on drums, the band’s new double A-side single combines raw grunge rock with delicate, dreamy mood music. ‘Blackout’ employs hypnotic guitar to encircle Sarah Clayton’s beautiful rich vocals; a song of wonderment, the lyrics muse upon a relationship: “I’ll breathe you in/And smoke you out,” sings Sarah, and also reflecting upon the feelings summoned: “I don’t mean to be so black and white/I’m just tongue-tied”. The song broods and ebbs towards a pause which refuels into a swirling cymbal-heavy climax. This is a fabulous song deserving play after play, drawing you into its vortex. ‘Sex To White Noise’ crashes and burns, a raw and thrilling exploration of sex (“I’m turning like a hurricane”). Shrieking guitar evokes the white noise of the title, coming to an almost psychedelic conclusion. These are songs which demand to be heard live, and Life In Mono can be seen throughout 2023’s festival season, and also supporting The Virginmarys in late 2022. It will be an experience to remember.