Anglebox – Dark Days In The Sun (Self) (13th Floor EP Review)
Anglebox are a new band out of Christchurch, who, having released a little ditty called Undies On The Lawn, have now graced us with an EP titled Dark Days In The Sun.
Formed in 2023 by guitarists Ian Cartwright and Richard Grist, the band finally gelled with the addition of David “Stacky” Stack as lead vocalist along with the rhythm section of Greg Mannering (bass) and Dave Deakins (drums).
They refer to themselves as a “Kiwi pub rock band”, but, after hearing the four original songs that make up the EP, I’d call that a gross understatement.
Sure, first single, Undies On The Lawn, is a bit silly, but it does serve as a good entrance point to the band’s more “serious” side.
Who Are We Really, opens the show with upbeat, chiming guitars and a good bouncy beat. An while it retains the punk energy of Undies On The Lawn, it also shows off the band’s pop sensibilities.
The centerpiece of the EP, such as it is, is Teenage Dream, a nostalgic, jangly, melodic ode to youth served up with some tasty guitar playing. It’s one of those songs you swear you’ve heard before and will want to hear again.
Finally, we get Want My Lover, a slice of post-punk that shows off the band’s diversity, this time featuring more angular guitar sounds.
Judging from the four songs that make up Dark Days In The Sun, Anglebox is a band making fresh, unassuming, unpretentious rock & roll.
Call it punk, power pop or pub rock…whatever floats your boat…they’re not breaking any new musical ground here, but they are reaping plenty of rewards from the fertile musical soil they grew up with.
Marty Duda
Dark Days In The Sun is released today.
