Dream State – Consequences

The first thing that hits you about Dream State’s debut EP is the strength of the vocals. The power of Charlotte-Jayne Gilpin’s clean singing mixed with throaty shouts gives the band a post-hardcore edge, adding a mixture of emotion and aggression to a foundation of alternative-rock riffs and rhythms. Sadly, the fire and energy that comes from the vocals isn’t matched by the instrumentals, making Consequences a record that shows potential, but isn’t yet a finished package.

Over the five tracks, the musicians of the band centre on solid chords and occasional accenting lead lines and for the most part these rhythms stay at a consistent tempo, over similar structures. Sections of songs often bleed together as the volume of the guitars stays the same between the verses and choruses, making it difficult to hear any transitions. This makes the music more of a background effect than a focal point that grabs your attention.

Gilpin attempts to lift the energy levels by adding aggression and emotion her voice, and while this post-hardcore vocal style adds character to the band’s sound, it’s misplaced against the subdued music. As a result, Consequence has songs that may be too aggressive vocally to please alternative-rock fans but not interesting enough musically to please post-hardcore fans. “Rebuild, Recreate” is the exception, where the dynamic changes, tempo shifts and variations in volume match the veracity of the vocals, making it a clear standout track of the EP.

Gilpin has a strong voice and excellent tone, however the melody writing isn’t at a level where the choruses can carry songs on their own. For the most part the choruses are passable but they aren’t memorable enough to leave you singing them later in the shower and with the constant tempo of the music, there’s not enough intrigue or excitement across the EP as a whole.

With Consequence, Dream State prove their talent and potential however they’d benefit from picking a clear path and committing to it. Gilpin has the makings of an excellent post-hardcore vocalist but there needs to be more substance to the music to keep listeners hooked. “Rebuild, Recreate” demonstrates that they have the ability to achieve this and with more focus on excitement, energy and dynamics across each song, they should be able to make it sustainable across a full record.