HEATWAVE

Two years after Ribirth (2019) and the follow-up tour, we got another 5 new compositions that form Heatwave EP. I remember being extremely excited when listening to this EP for the first time and wondered if A.C.T would be able to top their magnificent 2019 EP. The short answer is no, but I wouldn't call this a disappointment in any way. Rather, these compositions show the band going into their vast musical vocabulary and finding new ways of reinventing their music.

After a brief intro we are thrown into familiar domain with Checked Out, where the band does another excellent mix of rocking guitars/drums with their soft melodic touch. Brother is where things get interesting with the sombre approach that was introduced on A Broken Trust, two years earlier, but now the mood is pushed even further in that direction. Dark Clouds is another quieter moment, but this time penned by Ola Andersson. I love the melody and the slow building tension in the composition but feel like something is missing in this track to push it even higher on my list of A.C.T favourites.

The title track of Heatwave EP is another unusual mix where we first get a familiar A.C.T sound in the verses but then go into a repeat of the Brother chorus, but with different lyrics. There must be some hidden meaning behind this approach, but I can't say that I completely understand it. Luckily The Breakup is where we get another familiar Jerry Sahlin-penned composition with very significant lyric content, which is enhanced by Herman Saming's emotional delivery. I like how this composition takes its time to unravel, but also feel like the song overstays its welcome, which becomes apparent with repeated listens.

Heatwave EP might not have managed to main the momentum that I heard on Ribirth, but let's be honest about the fact that A.C.T had set an extremely high bar with their 2019 EP, so a slight decline was expected. But I wouldn't call it a decline in quality, but rather it was another ambitious project and this time it didn't give me as much pleasure. Still, it's an EP that I have played many times and will continue to listen to whenever I need a different moodier fix from one of my all time favourite bands. Anything less than excellent addition rating would be an understatement.

***** star songs: Checked Out (5:35)

**** star songs: Brother (4:35) Dark Clouds (5:09) Heatwave (4:03) The Breakup (7:53)

*** star songs: Intro (0:40)