Release Date: July 04th 2025. Record Label: MiaCameretta Records. Formats: CD/DD
First Summer - Tracklisting
1.Outcast 04:44
2.A God 04:44
3.Kill Spider-man (In the Steppes of Central Asia - A. Borodin) 07:57
4.Flowers Gone 06:48
5.Tears Away 05:25
6.First Summer 06:38
7.Saved 05:39
8. Walking Through The Graves 05:00Members
V. – voice, guitar, synths
F. – drums
D. – bass
Review
First Summer is the debut album from Italian Psych/Alt/Stoner Rockers We As A Company and the record has a messy and chaotic style of storytelling to the record that actually makes it standout. We As A Company have a loose structure where they blend Doom, Noise, Grunge and Shoegaze into the mix with the record being a constantly heavy affair. It can be a bit all over the place with the Punk Rock production values applied throughout the whole album but it sounds remarkably hip and fresh as well.
The instrumental melodies can be quite Sludge Rock aggressive with We As A Company hitting upon similar aspects to bands such as RED FANG, WHORES and TORCHE in places. The album gets straight down to business of of playing subtle Doomed Out grooves with a touch of Garage Rock snarling arrogance to them on tracks such as Outcast, God and Kill Spider-man (In the Steppes of Central Asia - A. Borodin). The vocals are clean based and have a subtle Indie Rock / Alt Rock flow which works surprisingly well with the rebellious Stoner Rock passages and intricate Fuzzed Up Psychedelic sounds that acts as a fine counterbalance to the Space Rock aesthetics that suddenly start to emerge.
We As A Company focus on GIGANTIC sounding riffs on this record that feels like they should be played on the biggest stage possible but still retaining that vital underground energy which allows the band to keep experimenting until the final stages of the album. The band aren’t afraid to strip back the Stoner Rock / Sludge Rock aspects of their music and replace them with a Indie Rock and Brit-Pop momentum with the highly emotionally charged Kill Spider-man (In the Steppes of Central Asia - A. Borodin).
The sound does become more of a Post-Rock anthem for the first half of the track before We As A Company add moments of uplifting Doomgaze and Grunge energy for one of the most unconventional and standout tracks on the album. The vocal harmonies and superb lyrics have a real “ WAVE YOUR LIGHTER / MOBILE IN THE AIR” kind of effect. The second half then transports that atmosphere to a heavier Sludge Metal playground whilst still being hopefully uplifting and destructive at the same time.
Fourth track Flowers Gone opts for a Gothic/Occult vibe with an enthusiastic Eighties Rock score developing in the background. There’s a minimal Post-Punk and Post-Doom drive constantly driving the music forward with haunting synths and a stubborn Indie Rock that keeps things nicely grounded. This isn’t the heaviest track on the record but We As A Company surround themselves with BIG, BOLD and BRASH ideas to keep the atmosphere highly interesting and superbly original.
Fifth song Tears Away is a mixture of FOO FIGHTERS, QOTSA and TORCHE based melodies with a thumping instrumental score and Pop based vocals that is quite playful and thuggish with the superbly THRASH & PUNK grooves that could have easily made a killer impact on commercial radio over thirty years ago. We As A Company excel with their unusual musical ideas and creative themes that result in highly memorable riffs to make them stand out from the crowd.
The final few tracks of First Summer, Saved and Walking Through The Graves sees We As A Company apply unconventional musical structures and ideas to form a backdrop of leftfield based Sludge/Stoner Rock soundscapes with a dreamlike quality before transforming into a heavier and cohesive musical journey. The Shoegaze from the band’s creative perspective offers some life affirming lyrics especially on First Summer.
We As A Company return to the Doom-Pop atmosphere on the excellent final tracks of Saved and Walking Through The Graves which once again sees the band delve into the uplifting Psych Rock arena that leaves the record on quite an emotional finish. The record does lose focus at times but you can’t deny the unquestionable energy from We As A Company and that’s one of their greatest strengths which they never lose sight of.
First Summer is an excellent debut record that may see the band gain a loyal and dedicated following within the underground scene. Check this out when you can.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Metaversus PR for the promo.
Links
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