Single Review: Sit Down In Front - 'Pixie Caramel (Feat. Tiki Taane)'

 


When I first heard Sit Down In Front, I hadn’t heard anything like them since first hearing the Sex Pistols. Their raw, rebellious, punk rock sound radiates with undeniable, propulsive energy. Vocalist Cory Newman’s snarly vocal style, which has earned him comparison to Johnny Rotten, is instantly recognizable, and perfectly fits the feeling of rebellion and angst created by their music. Their new single, ‘Pixie Caramel’, which features New Zealand music legend, Tiki Taane, is a vicious effort from the Gisbourne-bred rockers. Dripping in swagger and wit, the band successfully captures the essence of the old-school punk rock that influences their sound, while adding a modern twist. 


‘Pixie Caramel’ begins with the full band before breaking down to the drums and vocals during the verse, with the guitars topping off each vocal line. The energy increases with the addition of the off-beat accents on the drums in the second half of the verse. The chorus is full of adrenaline, especially due to its energetic punk drum beat, and the added gang vocals in the background repeating the line ‘what the hell’. The guitar licks played throughout the song add a great melodic aspect that a lot of punk rock doesn’t have. There is a suspenseful, Dead Kennedys-Esque build-up before launching into the bridge. One of my favourite aspects of ‘Pixie Caramel’ is the Tiki Taane feature. This gives the song twice as much energy and adds the flare of Tiki’s ‘world-famous in NZ’ sound, which includes elements of hip hop & drum and bass, making for an interesting fusion of punk and hip hop that works an absolute storm.


I believe that ‘Pixie Caramel’ is Sit Down In Front’s most exciting release yet. It is everything I love about their sound, along with more new elements added to the mix. I am very much looking forward to the day I get to see them live, and how their staunch, lively sound will continue to flourish and mature. 

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