One for the late nights: Foreign Mornings release debut album, “4am”
A well-rounded album true to their DIY ethos: Foreign Mornings have ticked all the boxes with their debut LP.
Formed by Michael Wilkinson, Reece McGuinness, Ben Greeves, Jack McKenna and Colm Mulholland, their eclectic sound draws on the influences of Pixies and Foo Fighters, resulting in an indie bedroom rock sound. Unlike these top names, what sets Foreign Mornings apart is their DIY approach to music. In late 2022, the band made the decision to record their album entirely from home, ‘learning to be recording engineers’ and producing their sound with nothing but pure musical talent and determination. Having garnered support from BBC Introducing, RTE2XM, Amazing Radio and gaining festival slots at Stendhal and Belladrum, it is clear that their efforts have paid off!
“4am” boasts an incredible tracklist of dynamic tunes, beginning with ‘Happy Birthday’. This track opens with stripped-back guitar, developing into an explosive mixture of heavy drums and strings, layered with an octave effect. Frontman Michael Wilkinson’s vocals are emotive and raw, with a tinge of Brian Molko’s (Placebo) intonation. Characterised by an upbeat, driving drumbeat and vocal harmonies which attribute an uplifting tone to the somewhat bittersweet lyrics, the track is closed out by an echo - fading out just as the next one fades in.
Next is ‘Good Enough’, a slower-paced song that maintains the high standard set already. Rather than starting with a bang, this track fades in before the sound builds up, with melodic backing vocals creating a transcendent feeling as the instruments swarm in. In the chorus, a rhythmic pattern of muted strings backs the main guitar riff, accompanied by vulnerable vocals. The breakdown, consisting of a thrumming bassline and distorted audio, builds anticipation for how the song suddenly intensifies towards the end. Ending on a distorted yell, every instrument chimes together to create a loud, full sound that epitomises the raw emotion driving the song.
What succeeds is my favourite track, ‘Where Are Your Friends Tonight?’. The Pixies influence is evident in this one, with a grungier aspect to it than the prior songs. Jack McKenna’s driving drumbeats are distinguished by a heavy use of crashing cymbals, accompanied by distorted vocals and echoing electric riffs to create an edgy sound. The call-and-response vocals within the chorus create a sense of fun while maintaining full, dynamic music. This track also features an instrumental breakdown to build suspense, beginning with nothing but a stripped-back drumbeat that increases in tempo as each instrument is reintroduced, coming together for the final chorus.
‘19’ effectively conveys the musical variety that Foreign Mornings are capable of within one song. It begins with slow chords strummed on an electric guitar, supported by the introduction of classical strings which create a more melancholic tone. The inclusion of the classical string instrument is reminiscent of The Smashing Pumpkins, nodding to Foreign Mornings’ roots in 90s alt rock. This mood is furthered by the vulnerable, trembling vocals which convey the story of a fraught young romance. However, the tone is subverted by the tempo increasing after the first chorus. This welcome surprise introduces an edgier guitar sound, heavy drums and confident harmonised vocals to fully convey this talented band’s repertoire.
Another track that explores a more relaxed pace is ‘The Life You Lead’, which includes slow melancholy vocals and the gentle strum of an acoustic guitar to create a warm, genuine track that envelops the listener in a bittersweet, comforting feeling. There is an ethereal echo effect on the vocals which helps form the sense of nostalgia created by the lyrics themselves. This echo blends perfectly into the ambience of the reverb-soaked guitars which rise and meld into the instrumental in perfect harmony. This melody then fades out into a stripped-back guitar once again, evoking a calming feeling of closure that prepares the listener for the end of the album.
Having said that, the album doesn’t finish on a low-energy note. Rather, final track ‘Blessed’ opens with a fast-paced anticipatory drumroll, before the song bursts to life, with a catchy guitar riff establishing the melody of the song. The vocal style on this track, combined with the steady drums complimenting the guitar, remind me of Dinosaur Jr, the band attributed to ‘returning lead guitar to indie rock’. As the track develops, the driving bassline reveals itself to be an integral part of the sound, melding with the drumbeat to deepen the sound. Punchy, vigorous drumming and crashing cymbals back the subtly layered vocals. Overall, ‘Blessed’ represents the pure energy Foreign Mornings evoke through their music and is the perfect
track to close their debut album.
To celebrate the release, Foreign Mornings are playing launch shows at the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast on the 23rd of September, and at Bennigans Bar in Derry on the 30th of September. If you like the sound of this album, make sure to grab a ticket while you still can!
Foreign Mornings are included on our “indie rock” playlist. Stream below!
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