Dublin-based indie rock quartet Delivery Service are Becca Daly (vocals and bass), Ashley Abbedeen (vocals and guitar), Ciara O’Neill (guitar, keys and backing vocals) and Niall Thornton (drums and backing vocals).
They formed over a shared passion for 90s grunge and the riot grrrl movement. The ethos of the band is to write and perform for fun. They release their debut EP `Five Tracks` which showcases their DIY sound with songs written from the female perspective, navigating their feelings and experiences with life and love.
The band have shared that “These songs are the first batch that we wrote and played together as a band, so it feels great to finally have them out in the world. We spent a year learning how to write and play together and this EP is the product of our collaborative effort. They encapsulate an innocence and for some of us they were the first songs we ever wrote and played. The EP is a perfect introduction to us as a band and showcases our sound perfectly; we don’t strive for overly produced songs that sound perfect or huge, we like the DIY approach and believe less is more.”
This extended play opens with `Truancy` with vocals that have a delightful vulnerability over a pulsing bass line which explodes into life at around the minute mark where dual vocals interact and take us through a tale of skipping school which may well be a metaphor for something that is more deep rooted at the heart of this defiant act. Again we enjoy dual vocals and harmonies on `Don`t Get It` which appears to be about confusion over a possible failed relationship with somebody perceived as being perfect but turns out they aren`t. A steady drumbeat and fuzzy guitar riff drives us along this contemplative musing.
`First Kiss` has a lovely rhythmic beat with tinkling keys and seems to relate to an unequal relationship where one of the participants is dominated and becomes almost subservient. A challenging subject to address but shared over an endearing sonic landscape which allows it a greater impact. There`s a kind of frustration or annoyance that permeates `Bloodsucker` whose subject matter is probably self-explanatory.
The final cut `Ghost` is a slower burn with a wonderful dreaminess about it but is all the more effective for this. It appears to be a desire to be that significant other in somebody`s life in whose world you wish to exist.
The `Five Songs` extended play is delightfully charming with its layered vocal harmonies, slightly distorted guitar riffs and guiding bass and drum beat with lyrics that address some difficult subjects but in a subtle manner which really hits home. I really loved this quintet of songs which had a captivating ambience and was left wanting more, so much more.
I found it quite refreshing to experience something other than the testosterone filled macho musical soundscapes that has been associated with Ireland`s capital city in the last couple of years.
Rating 9/10
