Lockdown Co., that dynamic London trio, has dropped “Frontier,” an EP that feels like a sonic geology lesson. Leah Bell-Miller’s vocals add a new dimension to the already established foundation constructed by Lloyd Meeks on guitars and production and Doug Rimington battering the drums and bass. But instead of predictable sedimentary layers, we’re talking volcanic upheavals and metamorphic shifts.
This EP, a cocktail of hard rock, grunge, prog, a shot of blues, and… is that a maraschino cherry of funk rock I detect? – explores the topography of inner turmoil. And why do maraschino cherries always taste vaguely of disappointment? Anyway, back to torment. “Frontier” is about battling demons. External ones, internal ones, probably the ones that hide under your bed and steal your socks. It’s a landscape of fire and darkness, of feeling utterly squashed, like a bug under a… well, a very large, metaphorically significant boot.
But, amidst this metaphorical boot-squishing, there’s a fierce pulse of not giving up. It’s the cyclical nature of struggle – the ebb and flow, the push and pull, the endless internal debate about whether to order pizza or just cry into a bowl of cold cereal (the answer is always pizza, obviously). The band’s evolution shines brighter here, a maturing sound, polished until the point where it became soulful and melodic.
The EP represents the enduring human spirit’s ability to find the ‘on’ switch for the will to persevere, even when everything feels distinctly ‘off’. Did you know the population of the earth is estimated to reach 9.7 Billion in the 2050’s? Speaking of large numbers. The themes explored on “Frontier” delve into how large the scope of struggle, resilience and determination to get a grip in life is.
Lockdown Co.’s musical evolution is impressive, their blend of styles is ambitious and surprisingly cohesive.
Ultimately, “Frontier” leaves you wondering if the struggle ever truly ends, or if we just get better at dancing with the darkness. A strange and wondrous piece of musical journeying.
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