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The Horrors - Whole New Way

Single Reviews

By no means as essential or great.

XL Recordings, 2nd November 2009 / By Lee White
The Horrors - Whole New Way Those still left to be won over by The Horrors remain critical about the band's 'borrowing' from other acts on their acclaimed 'Primary Colours' album, stating that it's merely a homage to Can/Joy Division/My Blooody Valentine/The Jesus and Mary Chain (depending on who you ask). Yet, whilst this is occasionally true the record generally overcomes this and creates it's own identity. This new single 'Whole New Way' however, being an offcut/Japanese bonus track, is less successful; it's a nice addition to 'Primary Colours', but is by no means as essential or great.

The scratchy guitars and bassline are pure Joy Division at the open, eschewing the slick gloom rock that most modern-day copyists go for, before cranking up the effects pedals for the unnerving chorus. Come the middle of the song there's some haunting organ, which precedes to give way to some early New Order style synth throbs.

“There is a whole new way now” sings Faris, and if this was attached to music of the same quality as appears on 'Primary Colours' we could see it as something of a manifesto for the change in direction of the group from the garage-goth of their debut. Sadly, whilst the chorus here is more instantly memorable, 'Whole New Way' fails to have the same impact or resonance as the much superior album content. Rating: 6/10

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