Vienna Ditto released their self titled EP a couple if weeks back and it’s a work of left-field class, which Huw Stevens described as “Portishead doing a Tarantino soundtrack”. However, the best introduction to their music is their own, wrapping up their smoking vocals and killer guitar riffs aptly as voodoo sci-fi blues.
The London trio is fronted by Hatty Taylor, having started the band back in 2009. Chicago blues, darkened psychedelia and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop are cited as key influences on their formation and the Vienna Ditto EP has got nods to them all in abundance.
The EP starts up with the dirty blues of Liar Liar, with amazingly dark hooks and stunning vocals. The percussion sounds like it was born in a husky ballroom in Cuba in the 1930s, synching up addictively with the blues rock feel of the rest track. The electronica interlude towards the end of the track is a great addition sounding like it comes straight out of the mixing desk of War of the Worlds.
It’s followed by the acoustic muddy waters of The Undefeated. It’s a cool old school blues track with simple drums that turn semi-industrial in the chorus, and more great vocals. The subtle electro interjections and clarinet overlays do a lot to lift the song from its humble beginnings, creating a modern blues fusion masterpiece. The psych-industrial ending tares out the pre-close of the track giving it an epic feel before the quiet call for mercy.
Whatever Comes My Way is folk guitar blues pop, but doesn’t have quite the same impact as the opening two tracks. However, there’s dark arts at play a in Little Fingers with some great guitar effects and Space influenced circulatory rhythm. The EP finishes up with a sharp Bobby Bloomfield remix of Liar Liar that adds a bit of kick to the opening track.
Vienna Ditto is a stylish modern blues EP with psychedelic fringes, wild edges and electro clips. If this is how good they sound in a recording studio they should be booming live. They’ve got a few gigs coming up too, so keep an eye on https://viennaditto.com/shows/ to find them at a venue near you.
Vienna Ditto EP review: 4.4/5
Listen to the Vienna Ditto EP in the stream below:
