Revenant – Best Medicine EP
Up and coming British rock band Revenant, who inject southern rock sensibilities into their contemporary sound, (hence comparisons to the likes of Black Stone Cherry) have come a long way in a short time.
2024’s debut EP What a Time To Be Alive made an impact among both rock fans and rock reviewers.
It presented a band who clearly had the chops and potential, but outside of emotive & lyrically supportive ballad 'The Healer' and the semi-anthemic 'Rolling On My Back,' it didn’t have the song quality to separate itself from the southern-tinged, contemporary rock pack.
What a Time To Be Live then underlined just how good Revenant are live, but second studio EP Best Medicine goes a big step further by showcasing five of the strongest and most mature songs to date from Sam Lay (lead vocals, guitar) Matt Hudson (guitar), Robin Nutley (bass) and Carl Donoghue (drums).
The rock 'n' riffy roll of 'PSA' (Public Service Announcement) makes for a strong opening statement.
Short, lyrically sharp (eschewing bad news and being told what to do for the adventure of living your own life) and heavy on the downbeats, 'PSA' rocks the rock and walks the Revenant walk, complete with a suitably defiant guitar solo.
The EP's title track is uplifting and celebratory, both musically (radio friendly heavy rock) and lyrically (finding the one that was your meant-to-be). With a hooky chorus and melodic instrumental bridge, which leads to a Sam Lay solo that’s as inspired as it is on-point, 'Best Medicine' is the most infectious song the band have yet written.
The swampy, mid-tempo swagger of 'Runaway Rage' is, lyrically, and as the title suggests, a moody and brooding tale of trying to control anger when it's almost uncontrollable. The slide solo and biting six-string reply enhance the song's dynamic.
Contrast then comes by way of 'Least I Can Do,' a poignant, downtempo country-rock tinged ballad you could be forgiven for thinking was written in, or came out of, Nashville.
Penned by Matt Hudson, the song’s lyric is written from the perspective of a father looking out for his child, until the time comes when he can’t ("world’s at your feet, so go chase all your dreams and believe").
With a splash of saxophone and a short, rippling harmony guitar moment, it stands strong as the surprise highlight of the EP.
Final song, the folksy acoustic number 'Miss You,' is simple but charmingly effective.
As such it makes for the perfect closing track.
Offering a quintet of great songs and considered, real life lyricism, Revenant’s self-produced, sophomore studio EP is the Best Medicine the band could prescribe for their ever-growing fanbase – and themselves.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
2024’s debut EP What a Time To Be Alive made an impact among both rock fans and rock reviewers.
It presented a band who clearly had the chops and potential, but outside of emotive & lyrically supportive ballad 'The Healer' and the semi-anthemic 'Rolling On My Back,' it didn’t have the song quality to separate itself from the southern-tinged, contemporary rock pack.
What a Time To Be Live then underlined just how good Revenant are live, but second studio EP Best Medicine goes a big step further by showcasing five of the strongest and most mature songs to date from Sam Lay (lead vocals, guitar) Matt Hudson (guitar), Robin Nutley (bass) and Carl Donoghue (drums).
The rock 'n' riffy roll of 'PSA' (Public Service Announcement) makes for a strong opening statement.
Short, lyrically sharp (eschewing bad news and being told what to do for the adventure of living your own life) and heavy on the downbeats, 'PSA' rocks the rock and walks the Revenant walk, complete with a suitably defiant guitar solo.
The EP's title track is uplifting and celebratory, both musically (radio friendly heavy rock) and lyrically (finding the one that was your meant-to-be). With a hooky chorus and melodic instrumental bridge, which leads to a Sam Lay solo that’s as inspired as it is on-point, 'Best Medicine' is the most infectious song the band have yet written.
The swampy, mid-tempo swagger of 'Runaway Rage' is, lyrically, and as the title suggests, a moody and brooding tale of trying to control anger when it's almost uncontrollable. The slide solo and biting six-string reply enhance the song's dynamic.
Contrast then comes by way of 'Least I Can Do,' a poignant, downtempo country-rock tinged ballad you could be forgiven for thinking was written in, or came out of, Nashville.
Penned by Matt Hudson, the song’s lyric is written from the perspective of a father looking out for his child, until the time comes when he can’t ("world’s at your feet, so go chase all your dreams and believe").
With a splash of saxophone and a short, rippling harmony guitar moment, it stands strong as the surprise highlight of the EP.
Final song, the folksy acoustic number 'Miss You,' is simple but charmingly effective.
As such it makes for the perfect closing track.
Offering a quintet of great songs and considered, real life lyricism, Revenant’s self-produced, sophomore studio EP is the Best Medicine the band could prescribe for their ever-growing fanbase – and themselves.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ