DEAR TASH – FATAL EP

RELEASE JUNE 5th

The FATAL EP is the latest work from alternative powerhouse DEAR TASH, available on Spotify from 5th June, and in shiny new vinyl from Kartel Music.

The culmination of a week locked in Soho’s legendary Dean St Studios with producer Jess Cake (Bambie Thug), DEAR TASH has penned, performed, and ripped her heart out to create 5 more screaming babies for us to delight in, including new song "FLOWERS".

Since 2020, DEAR TASH has kicked out songs such as “I’m in Love with a Vampire”, “Do I Wanna go in for the Kill” and “Killing for Violence”, so there are strong themes cutting through her work, with all the lace and grace and bloodstains of a girl who has just stepped out of a Dracula movie before hitting the keys on her gothic scented synths.

Interviews suggest that we are in for a gritty and raw experience, where DEAR TASH reveals her more vulnerable side, and as she cites influences such as Muse, Royal Blood and Biffy Clyro, I am intrigued.

These are big names, but they are also strong guitar bands. Well ok, Royal Blood pound a mean bass, but whilst DEAR TASH is known for her powerhouse synth sounds, she plays the bass live, so it’s all coming together.

"In places I am

reminded of The Prodigy,

and it’s proof that you

don’t need a

wall of guitars to

make a good rock song".

Opening song "FATAL" starts with a police siren and then grinds into a guitar riff that nods to her influences. It sets the mood, this could be bloody. A powerful synth joins in and there’s a twisting knot of a melody that drives at the heart of this song. Yes, I can hear the bass, and it’s a rocking bass! If I was expecting delicate lacy synths, it’s not on this one. Vocals are trance-like, as "FATAL" dances from alt-rock riffs to electronic dance-like darkness. In places I am reminded of The Prodigy, and it’s proof that you don’t need a wall of guitars to make a good rock song.

"OUTSIDERS" is more reflective. With haunting synths and a slower pace, we go on a journey through the city, a grey place where we are easily forgotten. The chorus soars with catchy pop vocals and powerful rocking guitar, this is an anthem to the urban jungle where we can easily disappear without a trace.

We find a fascination in horror and the demons of the basement in "FIGHT OR FLIGHT". There are nightmares, she is haunted and seems to be enjoying every moment! With hints of Evanescence, this song is ambiguous. Is she enjoying all this, or scared terrified? We never find out, but she certainly seems to be enjoying herself.

"More lyrics than

you would think are humanely possible

to fit into a

3 minute song"

"LEVITATE" is the standout track for me, with its discordant harmonics and metal lite intro. With complex backing synths and more lyrics than you would think are humanely possible to fit into a 3 minute song, this track is over too soon. But it’s all packed in with a marvellous driving beat and excellent vocals.

Which leads us into the final song, "FLOWERS".  An introspective gentle song at first, we find DEAR TASH reflecting on friendship, love and loss. But the chorus builds to powerful overdriven guitars and synths in trademark style, where the vocals soar probably to their greatest highs of the EP. It is catchy and moving, with wonderful harmonies that linger in the ears long after the track has finished.

So do we find DEAR TASH in raw and vulnerable form here? If you already know her, then you probably know what to expect. I’ve got Slipknot on my turntable and this isn’t it, but then she’s not trying to be (although I’d love to hear her go down that dark rabbit hole!) What you get here are 5 slices of life, a girl trying to survive in a modern urban world, with all the shades of darkness this can bring. Enjoy!

Review by Steve Gibson

Photos by Jessie Rose