Napalm Cufflinks is a culmination of anything that has happened in the music sphere that is even half interesting – a personal opinion of course. It’s very much an if you know, you’re an extremely lucky – and indefinitely cool – member of the human race. Through my years of collecting vagabonds, and undesirables into my co-op of indie extremists the fortunate task of reviewing my favourite band in the planet – Fatale’s - new EP, has been left on my doorstep accompanied by a deafening knock on the accompanying door. This comes despite the “NO COLD CALLER” sticker on the aforementioned door, in which I can only commend the bravery of Fatale, ignoring this notice is a sign of inevitable rock and roll stardom, and Napalm Cufflinks is more than happy to oblige such a call – and subsequently ride the coat tails of one of the few younger bands on the planet worth a damn. Although I understand that the general public desire transparency and honesty, in which case it would be remiss of me not to mention that Fatale know the identity of Napalm Cufflinks, in which I could be blackmailed if I had declined to undertake this task, and secondly, I count each of the members of Fatale as close personal friends of mine, in which case I was overjoyed to be asked to undertake this task. Anyhow, let’s get on to reviewing what will certainly be the definitive E.P of our generation, ‘Saint Mungo’, by Fatale.
Why Me? – An introduction to who Napalm Cufflinks is, and subsequently a personal espousing of why the task lays on my doorstep
Track 1 - MOVES YOU
I’ll start off with the fact that I have probably heard every single iteration of this song since its inception, from bedroom demos, to practice jams, to rough demos, to live performances and to what is now, a fully finished POP! Hit. ‘Moves you’ is the truth, the whole truth, nothing but. ‘Moves you’ has become an anthem for Fatale’s ever-growing fanbase amongst the central belt of Scotland, and quite frankly, the song is itching to be exploded through the ears of the rest of the world’s population… NEY the universe’s population – ‘Moves You’ contains sounds that only aliens can hear, meaning we might get a visit from the cosmic bastards once this song is released. That is to say, on the behalf of fatale, those that pre-ordered this EP and the subsequent outer space visitors this song will attract to planet earth, you are welcome, may your ears be blessed and your heart feel glee that Fatale have decided to grace this song upon thee.
I’ll let everyone reading this into a little secret, Christopher Jollie - the man I label as the songwriter of my generation – really likes Teenage Fanclub. No, seriously, like REALLY likes Teenage Fanclub, and for the record I do too. My reasoning for mentioning this is because I see ‘Moves You’ as being reminiscent of the supercool sonically inclined individuals’ favourite releases by Teenage Fanclub such as ‘A Catholic Education’ and ‘Deep Fried Fanclub’. I would argue that this song shows this, and in fact I hope that someone has listened to moves you and thought, “wow this song is being performed by the band of my generation, written by the songwriter of my generation, it sounds like early Teenage Fanclub and its fucking fantastic!”. For the record that previous dialogue is probably the easiest thing I have ever written, not least due to the fact that they words spin round my brain every time I listen to the song.
Racing guitars, pounding drums, a persuasive voice and industrial bass bind as one, to create the Fatale crowds’ longtime live favourite into – as previously mentioned – a finalised, definitive POP! Hit. Be in the know, rejoice in the groove, let Fatale move you. It’s only fair.