EP Review: Out Of Love – I Am Not Me

Back before Coronavirus took a hold and the resulting lockdown brought everything to a grinding halt, something that feels like a lifetime ago but in reality was less than six long bleak months, Out Of Love released their debut single ‘S.L.U.M.P.‘ to critical acclaim and radio play, tours were booked, festival slots were confirmed but then the lockdown hit, meaning that the band are still yet to make their live debut. Fortunately before the pandemic all but wiped out recording, live music and touring Out Of Love had laid down the four tracks that comprise their debut EP, “I Am Not Me“, that is now available via Venn Records

‘S.L.U.M.P.‘ opens with a gloriously deranged riff that shows exactly why they grabbed the attention of so many, the track addresses the social pressures of growing up in two and half intense grungey minutes. This is swiftly followed by the EP’s title track that offers a more subtle soundtrack… until the chorus explodes into life with it’s mantra of ‘I Think I’ve Lost my Mind’, making this an overdue pandemic anthem. ‘All Grown Up‘ kicks the “I Am Not Me” EP back into gear with the finest 86 seconds you are likely to encounter this year before the final track ‘My Perfect World‘ delivers a grunge soaked anthem about self expression, community, friendship and love, something that we all need a lot of right now. If you’re looking for comparisons then I think it’s fair to say that if you love the grunged out punked up racket that Culture Abuse deliver then you’ll adore Out Of Love.

Now with the lockdown tentatively being lifted in the UK next month Out Of Love will hopefully finally be able to make that long awaited live debut, although this may be a very different world than the scene we were used to with reduced capacity at venues, social distancing, one way systems and face masks, but for me it’s a price worth paying if I can get my much needed live fix. The “I Am Not Me” EP is a damn fine release from a band who were hamstrung by the pandemic, but until we can return to see what’s left of our live scene the nine near perfect minutes on Out Of Love‘s debut EP should keep you going.

“I Am Not Me” can be streamed and purchased here