Carving out a unique and honest lane, as alternative indie rockers with stories and tunes for days – Izzie’s Caravan have built an impressive repertoire of engaging garage rock tracks in their time as a band, culminating last year with the launch of their fiercely original five-track EP Dorian’s Requiem.
Instantly appealing for their refreshing fusion of folk-rock melodies, distortion, vibrancy, and chant-like hooks and resolves, Izzie’s caravan invite a heavy festival energy and sincere, poetic, imagery-loaded songwriting, for the opening and title-track Dorian’s Requiem.
The music is both colourful and intense, fast-paced but also accessible, with a characterful vibe, great melodies, and lush guitars. The song even features a complete change of pace and ambience at the half-way mark, akin to the creative albums of the early nineties, blending progressive rock and neo-classical rock, with an instrumental twist that takes this powerful song exceedingly close to the eight-minute mark.
Conceptually rooted, Dorian’s Requiem provides five chapters of the same realm, and is musically and topically eclectic amidst that. With strong, soaring grooves and a fine fusion of something like blues rock and cinematic sound-design, the songs are infectious, creative, original, and always intentional. Asleep Coz I’m Dead is enthralling, a post-punk force for good, with scenes that grip and tunes and instrumental peaks that totally draw you in.
Izzie’s Caravan have truly landed on a sound of their own with this project – the changing tempos, the riffs, the vocal charm and integrity, the anthemic hooks – even the tumbling and ever-evolving drum lines. It’s a playful and captivating sound, addictive but also consistently rewarding, and it takes listeners on a journey through emotional contemplation to floor-filler escapism and energy that’s boldly distinct as this band.
Next we move into a dreamy arena of paired guitars and meandering bass, something a little more folk-mellow in its old-school warmth and wonder. Mr. Long Gone is really well-placed after the upbeat chaos and creativity from before, and it adds a comforting familiarity musically, whilst delivering yet another story that intrigues and holds attention throughout.
Strong riffs are important, but so is musical skill, band unity, and the freedom to let things flow. Izzie’s Caravan have these qualities mastered, with songs of impressively complex structures and sections, but just enough nostalgia and artistic appeal to also satisfy.
Consider the rather beautiful An Infinite Day, a song that feels both instrumentally phenomenal and melodically catchy (for lack of a more powerful word). The song seems as if it’s been reborn from the days of complex art rock acts like Bowie, Elton, Queen, only the voice is quiet, the vibe indie alternative and free from the confines of expectation. It’s an earworm, emotional and hopeful, and the instrumental support is stunning.
Finally, Dorian’s Requiem comes to a compelling finish, as the piano from moments ago returns to guide us into the thoughtfulness and heartfelt sorrow of A Solemn Melancholic Adieu. The live-band sound is second to none, alluring in its impressive but also imperfect studio set-up, and this acoustic piece makes for the perfect story and song to wrap up the bold versatility and artistry of the whole project.
This year, Izzie’s Caravan set their sights on the indie rock audiences of the world, with twelve new tracks set to emerge intermittently across the next twelve months. If you’re tired of the digital tsunami of modern music, dip your toes into waters expressive and unpredictable this season, with the growing catalogue and live show potential of the mighty alt-rock band Izzie’s Caravan.
Find Izzie’s Caravan on Instagram & their Website.
