Zola Blood is the type of band that you only need to hear one song from to know that they're a quality act. Their ultra-distinctive debut single, "Grace", successfully gained the London-based act the attention they needed by breaking the six-digit mark in SoundCloud plays, and their fantastic follow-up track, "Meridian", racked up similarly lofty numbers. However, if there's one thing we've learned here at HD, it's that a song's plays doesn't always reflect its quality, but in this case, Zola Blood's first two songs have definitely gotten the recognition they deserve. Now following the standard format for brand-new acts (single, single, EP, etc.), Zola Blood is streaming their debut project, Meridian, and it contains two more exceptional tracks that expand on the four-piece's initial sound. "Leaves" is the first new offering, and its shadowy electronic production stays true to the group's discrete style. The beginning contains an awe-inspiring arrangement of unconventional electronic sounds, but the chorus pulls back into a moment of relief through some smooth synths and the lead vocalist's gentle croon. If "Leaves" is a bit much for you with its dizzying electronic array, though, you might find "Eyes Open" a little more appealing. The song is built on a foundation of soft synth patterns and a consistent drum beat, but the band also incorporates gusty soundscapes, mellow electric guitar plucks, and even an intense guitar solo to conclude the piece. The efforts culminate into a bit of a darker electronic vibe—one similar to SOHN's, for example—and if that's what kind of sound you're into, then Zola Blood's Meridian is an absolute must-hear. Meridian is set for release on October 20th through Pond Life Songs, and you can treat yourself to a pre-order now via iTunes. [via The Line of Best Fit]
Zola Blood