Remain Blank are a rock band that bring the grittiness of punk rock and the ambience of shoegaze and atmospheric metal to the fore. With a back-to-the-roots sound, they present their latest single, “Plastic Hooligans” — keep reading for my thoughts!
If there’s anything that this song persistently nails, it’s the energy balance. Right as the song announces itself into your speakers, the angry, gritty guitars take the center stage, and their steady rhythm settles you into a head bang sooner than you’re willing to admit it — and as the drums settle in, the expressive rhythms and uptempo pacing make the ensemble whole.
The vocal performance that soon ensues plays perfectly into the rest of the ensemble — with the harmonies that form during the pre-chorus lines being a standout in particular. Dotted with long instrumental sections meant for you to rock out, the vocals interject periodically, and tastefully. Wrap this up with a gritty bass performance, the quieter post-rock-esque bridge section, and you have what is an exceptionally well-crafted melodic arrangement.
The mix and master then swoop in with their clinical precision, making sure every element of this track come together cohesively, lest they devolve into chaos — and it does a great job while at it. The instruments scream, yet don’t shout at you — and neither of them drown the others out. Bravo, all in all!
All in all, “Plastic Hooligans” — thoroughly well-done from start to end, and wrapped up with a mix that retains and amplifies the energy of this song, there’s a certain poise and character to the track that makes it a thoroughly enjoyable listen — check it out here!