- Opinion
- 17 Jun 22
Rising Offaly alt-pop group The Collision. have dropped their debut EP Latent Pulse today featuring the band's signature energetic sound and distinctive, vibrant songwriting style.
Having established their natural showmanship in fun live performances throughout their home county, The Collision. made their breakthrough Dublin appearance in The Sound House earlier this year. The up and coming musicians have received radio play on Tipp FM’s Premier Irish, Dublin South FM and RTE 2XM. Made up of Ciaran Brennan his cousins Diarmuid and Seán Brady, alongside their friends Connor Rice and Callum Bergin, The Collision. released their first single ‘Little 22’ in 2020, followed by 'Swing' later that year before the release of contagious, high-energy beat ‘Lemon Bake It’ in 2021.
Latent Pulse features three brand new tracks and two previously released singles, pop-induced 'Weightless' and emotionally charged 'Baby in Winter.' Tackling themes of anxiety surrounding relationships, the perils of commercialism and pining for better days, the new EP delivers guitar laden tracks with fiery tempos and warm, spirited vocals. Birthed from the depths of lockdown, creating Latent Pulse took several months longer than it should have according to lead singer Ciaran and was produced entirely by the lads themselves in a makeshift studio in fellow lead singer, Diarmuid's, bedroom.
"My favourite track on the EP would be 'Baby In Winter'. I think it's one of the first songs me and Diarmuid actually sat down and wrote together, I really like the lyrics in there," Ciaran enthused.
Opening to the familiar sounds of seagulls and crashing waves, title track 'DBTR', with its catchy chorus, infectious bassline and groovy beat, is oozing with all the hallmarks of a classic summer dance anthem. Slower and more melodic, 'Sound of Summer,' takes on a reflective tone and written during lockdown, can be tied to the elements of longing explored within the track. Gritty, atmospheric beat 'For Sure', features heavy electric guitar and distorted vocals, layering together Ciaran and Diarmuid's complimentary singing styles. "I think me and Diarmuid kind of have different meanings behind 'For Sure', but it's basically based on relationships and not wanting someone in your life to leave," Ciaran said.
Growing up immersed in the world of trad music, Ciaran, Diarmuid and Sean's grandfather is trad composer Johnny Brady and Ciaran fondly remembers playing his instruments with his cousins and grandfather around the fire when he was younger. "We laugh about it sometimes because I think if he heard the kind of music we were playing now, he probably would be turning in his grave," he said, adding: "My biggest inspiration was my grandfather, he was the reason I ever started writing music in the first place, because I figured, well, if it's in the blood, surely I'm able to do it, and I started doing that when I was thirteen."
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Influenced by Britpop, hip-hop, funk, trad and everyday life, Latent Pulse carves out The Collision.'s own distinctive brand of alt-pop rock – as they continue playing as many gigs as possible and recording plenty of new music.
"The part that I enjoy is the interaction with audience members, because a lot of them are just these drunk people that are out to have the craic," Ciaran says of the band's lauded live shows. "So, if you can't get them up and dancing, you're hopeless!
"I find that in some ways I'd be introverted, but when it comes to music, that's when I'm more extroverted," he adds. "I feel more comfortable nearly playing a show than I might be talking with someone one on one."
Listen to Latent Pulse below:
Check out the music video for 'Baby in Winter' below: