After 2 years, Southampton locals Silverline are back with two new songs and more on the way. The four-piece band have expanded their sound – moving away from the standard verse chorus and pure live studio takes to a more complete and composed sound. With vocals and guitar by Alex Blaser; bass, synth, and a little guitar by Charlie Rhodes-Peel; guitar by Euan Lowther-Allais; and drums by Harry Harris.
“I used to have a rule that, ‘if we can’t play it live, then it can’t go on the song’ so I guess we’ve deffo changed in that aspect”
Silverline have changed in the two-year break they took. As they say, the new release “Fission” has moved away from the traditional lack of effects in post to a style with a few more effects and a less traditional song structure.
“I suppose what has changed is that a lot of our music is getting a bit more ‘through composed’ I guess.”
With their first release, 2023’s “Battleground”, we see the making of the band. A funky and interesting bassline, a catchy guitar riff, and a great hook. The one thing you could say about this one is that the mixing left the vocals buried, making it harder to catch the lyrics.
That was fixed on their next release, “Sparkly”, which is a quick and upbeat track. Again, incredibly catchy. I love the fact the lead guitar and bass are always trying to do something a little different.
“New Converse” is one of their simplest song structure so far, but makes for an incredible indie-rock-pop track. The band showed an incredible understanding of dynamics, keeping the songs interesting texturally. This song is definitely Arctic Monkeys inspired.
The band’s first album is “Skab (Volume 2)”, and the first track is “England” – which I must add has a very well done music video. The song is grand, the longest on the track. You get the sense the song is a mission statement. The band showcase what they can do, lyrically and in composing. It’s a great track.
“Rain” is an interesting instrumental that leads out from the previous track. the song focuses on the bass, and the tapping skills of Charlie
“A Choice of Two” was the lead single on this album, and is an upbeat track, but with emo lyrics that betray the bounce of the song’s melody. This is my favourite track on the record.
“Bite Me” has elements of folk and a Midwest emo guitar line. The folky vocals at the beginning transition into a track that could make it on any classic Midwest emo track.
“Yesterday’s Song” is probably my least liked of the tracks on here, it is a bit too slow and repetitive for this mad prophet
Then comes the Scorns, a series of songs titled I-IV. I is an instrumental that leads into II, a complex and layered song with a bit of a shoegaze persuasion. It reminds this mad prophet of Radiohead. the song has fun polyrhythmic sections and a nice overall sound. Scorn III is another instrumental interlude with a haunting crescendo. Scorn IV is a song with a little sprechgesang, forcing you to listen to the lyrics. It closes the album well.
But after taking a year and a half break, Silverline have woken from their slumber with a new sound.
Explaining their thoughts on the new album, they said
“… I can assure you a lot of our upcoming stuff on the album is packed dense with different tracks and overdubs. I quite like the idea of listening to one song thrice and having a unique experience each time. Not sure if we capture that idea well or not, I’m sure that will be for others to decide.”
This release has two songs, “Fission” and “Gan Eden”, the Hebrew term for the garden of Eden.
“Fission” is a song with an incredibly catchy bassline, a jingly guitar with tension that builds throughout the entire song, that makes it feel like impending danger throughout the song, which works in tandem with the lyrics.
“A lot of the songs on our upcoming album have totally abandoned verses and chorus more leading to overall crescendos rather than building towards a chorus. “
“Gan Eden” starts with a dreamlike feel, idyllic like paradise. And the lyrics continue that theme as well. Then the song reaches its apex, which is simply brilliant.
You may be afraid that there will be nothing more from this band due to their recent inactivity, but fear not! On 06/07/2026, this is what they said.
“We are in fact recording some new stuff. Popping down to the studio tomorrow to get it all mixed!”
Whatever and however the case, whatever and whenever Silverline drop, I’ll be there to listen.
Check them out here
