London's Man/ Woman/ Chainsaw's latest single witnesses the band spreading their wings in search of exciting new territories. Sami De Jong reviews.
Since their emergence from South London’s Brit School and the release of their debut track Any
Given Sunday in 2022, Man/Woman/Chainsaw have exploded onto the UK’s music scene with
constant touring, endorsements from BBC’s Steve Lamacq, and now the announcement of their very
first EP, Eazy Peazy. Its first single, Ode to Clio, has been cited by the band as the track which best
represents the EP’s overall character. In fact, it does more than that: it shows how far the band’s
style has evolved from the darker atmosphere and unfiltered chaos of their first two releases. The
chaos and unconventional song structure remains, but beyond it is something far more melancholic
and emotionally resonant; evocative vocals are underscored by powerful, mesmerising violin
melodies. True to its name, Ode to Clio is held together largely by Clio Starwood’s phenomenal violin
work: her performance both elicits an initial bittersweet atmosphere and parallels the louder, more
epic proportions of the final segment. Once the track has escaped from its understated indie
sensibilities and returned to the familiar art-rock chaos, the band’s technical prowess and refreshing
genre-bending becomes a joy to behold.
Sami De Jong
Edited by Alice Beard
Official Ode to Clio single cover courtesy of Man/ Woman/ Chainsaw, video courtesy of Man/ Woman/ Chainsaw on Youtube
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