Review by Dom Vigil
Baltimore dream pop band SMANTX have unleashed an explosion of sound on their debut self-titled EP. These five glimmering songs, while short, show quite a bit of promise for the band, who set themselves apart with an incredibly refined sound.
Serving as the perfect opener to introduce new listeners to SMANTX is “The Wild.” Vocally, this song really shines, with massive instrumentals providing a bright soundscape to kick things off. By the end of the big opener, you’ll find yourself wondering how the band is supposed to follow it, but the dreamy second song, “Work It Out” does so perfectly. This song perfectly blends a synth driven sound with catchy guitar hooks and a chorus that you’ll be singing long after it ends.
Where the first two songs are bright and poppy, “Love Criminal” takes on a slightly darker tone, showcasing some much needed diversity before things threaten to become flat or one dimensional. However, the energy that builds throughout the first three songs is lost just a little bit in “Hold Me Down.” While the fourth song gives listeners a spectacular vocal performance, it also tends to feel a bit simplistic and repetitive. The only other downside that can be found in the production of the EP, which can feel artificial or a little overwhelming at times. However, these little details are definitely overshadowed by the band’s overall songwriting.
As a whole, this debut EP shows a lot of promise and ambition from this talented group of musicians. Their ability to blend raw guitar and drums with the more artificial, synth driven sound is incredible, and coupled with stunning vocals, they have the potential to go far. SMANTX have already honed in on their signature sound and now they just need to continue to expand on it.
LISTEN TO: “Work It Out”
STAY CONNECTED WITH SMANTX: https://www.facebook.com/smantx/