Kaleidoscope

Toothbrush

Single Review

“….Don’t you dare, mistake your lack of enemies for a wealth of friends….” This line, this single line is what cemented London based Alt indie troubadours Toothbrush into my mind. Unforgivingly brash and transparently honest, their new track ‘Kaleidoscope’ is an exercise in giving sonic life to both personal and societal frustration. In this review I’m hoping to portray that while on the surface the track feels like a punk inspired spit back at the state of our world, beneath it is also a commentary on the day to day false hoods people hide behind in hopes of promoting an idealised version of themselves.

One thing that struck me immediately on my second time around on the track is the opening. While at first hearing its just a subtle lone guitar stabbing its way around a two chord pattern, the more you listen to it, the more stood out for me. As the guitar goes around a faint declining vibrato note can be heard in the background and given what comes next, I think of it now as the fuse for the tack. Immediately with little intervention an atmosphere and intention is placed up on the listener and is then re enoforced as the drums kick in. Again though, rather than hearing a standard punching drum pattern Toothbrush double down on the atmosphere and create an almost slap like sound on the snare. Its short, sharp, and refreshingly different.

Once the bass joins in with a weighty single note rhythm behind it the icing on this songs cake kicks in which is the lead vocals. For me, the vocals are one of the highlights of the song. Each lyric is delivered in a spoken word style but then eventuated with elements of crazed laughter, gritted teeth, and mock humour. This unique vocal style really allows the songs message of frustration and anger at society bleed through as genuinely as possible. Even on the delivery of the line I mentioned above, the knowing venomous sneer with which its delivered is just, well, amazing. The song then balances this out with a more gentle and melodic chorus that sort of acts as the line drawn beneath the argument.

Now, lyrically the song is almost laid out like the inner monologue of someone huddled in a crowded smoking area, just trying to mind their own business but constantly being confronted with other peoples ego’s. “….I came out here to clear my head, but now you’re filling my jet back lungs with your dead air….” This line delivered just before the first chorus has two levels to it for me. On the one hand it feeds into a person just trying to mind their own business being pressed into engaging with those around them but then on the other side, it highlights a broader stroke of how as a society we just want time to gather our thoughts but instead we are bombarded with more empty words and gestures. The chorus then double downs on this second reading, again acting like the full stop to a unambiguous statement.

Overall I could break down all the elements of this track and point out just how well crafted and multi layered it is. However, I’d rather you take the context I’ve laid out briefly here and listen to the track yourself. When they say music is subjective, ‘Kaleidoscope’ is a track that suits this definition perfectly. Whther its egotistical friends or power hungry leaders, this track can be home for everyone who just wants to scream ‘Fuck it!’ From time to time.

Follow Toothbrush

Listen here: