Dead Parties – Friction Machine (EP Review)

Dead Parties’ latest release Friction Machine is a six-track EP that thrives on a hazy blend of psychedelic rock, jangly pop, and fuzz-drenched guitars. It is an ambitious and emotionally loaded work that reflects both personal turmoil and broader social unease, filtered through a sound that recalls the sprawling atmospheres of The Dandy Warhols, REM, The Church and Smashing Pumpkins. Written and recorded in Barcelona with additional sessions in Glasgow, the project was engineered and mixed by Jason Shaw and later mastered by Marc Gardener of RIDE, giving the collection a polish that amplifies its swirling textures without sanding down its grit.

The opening track Black Moon sets the tone with a heavy drumbeat and distorted guitars that rumble beneath quietly mixed vocals. Lyrically, it is a raw exploration of grief and reconciliation following the loss of the songwriter’s father, its imagery of mourning mingled with mundane detail making it strikingly human. “You’re everywhere even though you’re nowhere, you and I forever entwined” captures the paradox of absence and permanence in mourning. While the repetition in the arrangement can occasionally veer toward monotony, it also helps embed the song’s themes and leaves behind a hypnotic aftertaste.

Do You Believe follows with sharper energy, guitars cutting through the mix with precision and urgency. The track, which explores breaking free from the grip of those who inflict pain under the guise of control, balances lyrical vulnerability with instrumental drive. “Here, all at once, I am mine, not for anyone, do you believe?” is both a declaration and a challenge, delivered with conviction against driving guitars that nod to the likes of Joy Division. Its sound is powerful, moving, and among the most immediate moments on the EP.

The EP’s centrepiece, Charles Manson, is not about the cult leader at all but instead about the danger of manipulative ideology and the ease with which it can spread. “And it’s over before it’s begun, switched scripts while you stared at the sun” reflects the suddenness with which deception can take hold. Musically, it boasts some of the clearest vocals on the record and the tightest production, with layers of instrumentation weaving into a rhythm that feels both vintage and sun-soaked. It is deceptively simple, slightly repetitive, but undeniably effective and inviting in its groove.

Reverie lightens the mood with its summery, head-nodding rhythm that still grapples with heavy lyrical themes of loss and imperfect parental love. “Once there was a man who reigned, crowned himself, though by false claim. Love him like a son, teach your children well” shows Etienne’s attempt to reconcile flaws with affection. The vocal layering here adds an unexpected depth, making the track one of the most engaging moments on the record. Its melodic pull and crisp mix make it both replayable and immediately memorable, bridging the introspection of the EP with a more uplifting sonic approach.

Distortions dives back into darker territory, with guitars reminiscent of Pixies and vocals that remain raspy and brooding. “Feelings take over and lie to you, survived another silent coup” captures the sense of spiralling inward, where the mind itself becomes hostile terrain. While the vocal performance doesn’t venture far from the delivery established earlier in the EP, the cohesion between instruments and mood results in a track that lingers with weight and resonance.

The closer Feathers brings everything full circle, tying together themes of depression, isolation, and perseverance through a sharp 80s-inspired guitar lick and rapid-fire vocal delivery. “Are your feathers torn and frayed are you falling under your weight?” frames its allegory of a bird lost and searching for a place to land. The mix occasionally lets the vocals fall behind the guitars, but the overall balance maintains momentum and closes the EP on a strong note, encapsulating the tension between fragility and resilience that runs through the record.

Overall Friction Machine is a well-crafted EP that showcases Dead Parties’ ability to merge classic alternative influences with a personal lyrical lens. The production work across Barcelona, Glasgow, and London has left the songs lush without diluting their edge, and the consistent guitar work anchors the project with strength and clarity. At times, the vocals sit a little too far back in the mix or repeat familiar patterns, yet the melodies and themes remain engaging enough to hold attention across six tracks. The EP demonstrates not only Etienne’s capacity for writing songs that resonate emotionally but also his knack for creating textured, immersive soundscapes that stand alongside his influences while carving out his own voice.

SCORE / Excellent – At its best, Friction Machine feels like the kind of record you want to play loud, lose yourself in, and return to when you need something both raw and beautiful. Go give it a listen!

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