My Federation - Don't Wanna Die
Review by Jack Foley
DESCRIBING themselves as “psychedelic electro rock with balls and bells”, Brighton-based My Federation have certainly delivered a ball-busting debut album in Don’t Wanna Die.
Spearheaded by the funky singles Don’t Wanna Die and Honey Bee, it’s a heady brew of lusty vocal harmonies, juicy ananlogue synths, pulsating guitars and choruses that are so catchy they’re made for singing along with.
Best of all, they’re shamefully enjoyable, combining the brashness of Oasis with the melodies of The Beach Boys and the kick ass funkiness of Kasabian.
Fronted by Lee ‘Muddy’ Baker, who gave up forging fine paintings and thieving cars to join the band, My Federation are unaplogetically eclectic and cite influences as wide and as inspired as The Flaming Lips, Super Furry Animals, Led Zeppelin, Daft Punk and Stevie Wonder.
Baker’s laidback, almost psychedelic vocals provide wonderful accompaniment to the electronic flourishes and finger-clicking beats that accompany most of their music. The choral “don’t leave me behind” plea kickstarting title track Don’t Wanna Die proving particularly effective in ensuring that the song becomes one of the instant album highlights.
But the scuzzy bassline and high-energy melody of Open My Eyes is just as enticing, complete with its “ba, ba, ba”-heavy chorus and bombastic guitar riffs.
The “ba, ba, ba”‘s return for What Gods Are These, which marries the no-nonsense guitars of Zeppelin with the happy-go-lucky melodies of Brian Wilson to seamless effect (complete with hammond organs), while It All Comes Clear opens with a spaced-out set of vocals, before dropping a harder hitting set of synths (for another highlight).
Look out, too, for the gritty, foot-stomping rock of Nothing To Say, surely an anthem in waiting, the insistent hooks and funky basslines of The Rising Light, and the full on head-rush of Party Offender.
Other personal favourites include the loopy Paper And String, the shamelessly enjoyable and hand-clap laden Honey For The Soul and the buzzing final track Something’s Gotta Give.
All in all, then, an infectious, symphonic, head-rush of an album that offers one of the feel-good listens of the spring.
Download picks: Don’t Wanna Die, It All Comes Clear, Nothing To Say, Paper And String, Honey For The Soul, Something’s Gotta Give
Track listing: