EP REVIEW | Puppet Theory – Buttons
Word is starting to spread nicely about indie pop four-piece Puppet Theory, especially on their local Manchester music scene. Their EP ‘Buttons’ very capably shows why.
The second the chords kick in on title tracks ‘Buttons’, listeners are treated to an upbeat, substantive sound which calls to mind a range a whole variety of acts. “Buttons and strings can fix the most stubborn of things”, runs the tune’s catchy chorus, which is only added to by a vocal rich with personality and the very tight sound that the band produce as a whole.
‘Room to Breathe’ is another big number in terms of its production, the guitar work and drumming topping off the tune nicely. While a bit more melancholic than ‘Buttons’, ‘Room to Breathe’ is still a track that commands repeated listens and shows the band’s versatility as well as their promise.
The alliteratively titled ‘Young And Youthful’ is yet more proof that the group live up to their promise to make “catchy, punchy pop songs that will get stuck in your head”, particularly in terms of the absolutely huge refrain and the way the song builds to incorporate stylish backing vocals and whole layers of sound, especially after the three minute mark.
‘Do You Know’ is the longest track on the EP, clocking in at five and a half minutes. That said, it goes by quickly – it feels quite spaced out at first, only to build nicely and grow more layered and impressive over the duration of the song. The final forty seconds of instrumentation are definitive proof of how musically talented and compatible Puppet Theory are as a band. The interplay between the band members is spot on throughout the EP – lyrics are relatable and memorable, and the band as a whole have a very cohesive sound to their music.
‘Buttons’ is available to listen to here. It’s a strong debut EP which hints at big things that could be coming the band’s way in the near future.
Puppet Theory play at the Deaf Institute in Manchester next Saturday (21st January) with Bayonet and Lyerr (both of whom we have interviewed for NRMB in the past) – make it down if you can and catch three great new bands.
8/10