A tale of various genres

Five Knives consists of four very different artists all coming together in Nashville to create this electronic-punk rock group. Savages is their first full-length album. The band has predominantly stuck to live performances, but this release shows their versatility and the boundaries that they push within these recorded tracks.

Five Knives is definitely bringing a new style of music to Nashville. They blend the style of rock and punk music with pop and electronic music. The first track on the album is the title track, “Savages.” It begins with the strong vocals of Anna M’Queen, who displays herself with sass and confidence. This is a track that could easily be played on a mainstream radio station, the subtle pop elements are present and layered with unique electronic sounds. The use of technology on these tracks shows the growth and experimentation of this band. They seem to be influenced by various artists and bands, all from separate genres, and this is clearly shown on Savages.

Although it can be easy to get swept up in the sound, the lyrics sang byM’Queen are endlessly fascinating and complex. On “I Love You To Death,” she seems to beg the line, “I’ll make you love me,” as she repeats it over and over. This track in particular stands out due to the sadness and desperation that lingers and stays with listeners. The beats composed by M’Queen and bandmates Zach Hall, Nathan Barlowe, and Shane Wise make the song all the more impactful and suspenseful.

On “Wild Ones,” M’Queen promises, “It’s alright, the wild ones never die.” The song begins with her steady and sure vocals over a simple beat hanging in the background. The beat gradually becomes a more prominent piece of the track, making the song an upbeat and enjoyable one to dance along to. It’s a track that’s perfect for summer parties.

Savages is a great album that explores and blends together various genres and makes it seem effortless. Five Knives is a group full of potential. This is a solid album that will likely generate many listeners, especially with the release being just in time for the summer season.