Hailing from Bristol, England, Oswald Slain is an Americana-inspired rock band. Formerly known as Little Thief, the five-piece released their first single under their new name only last year. The band consists of vocalist and guitarists Charlie Fitzgerald and Cydney Brown, guitarist Will Montague, bassist Chris Axe and drummer Rhii Williams. Throughout January 2024, the band recorded and produced their debut EP in their home studio. This EP, called KISS ME ON THE MOUTH, filled with music written as a result of a period of introspection and personal growth, was released on the 16th of April.
The EP opens with the single ‘UGLY’, which the band released in February. It opens the body of work with a grating, high-pitched sound before the drums kick in. The listeners learn right from the get-go what to expect from this band: retro-sounding Brit rock with a lot of groove. The band stated how they wrote ‘UGLY’ about the idea that you never really know someone until you have seen them at their worst; and this is exactly what the chorus is asking of them. “U-G-L-Y, I wanna see that ugly side,” Fitzgerald sings before continuing with “show me yours and I’ll show you mine.” The two-and-a-half-minute-long track is filled with electric guitars that get their moment to shine right before the bridge tones it all down and makes room for the lead singer’s vocals.
Oswald Slain released the second single of this EP on March 27th. Originally released as ‘Sean Paul’, but on the EP now titled as ‘Road Runner’. The track discusses personal flaws set against a nostalgic backdrop of “Sean Paul playing on the radio,” who was, of course, a very famous artist in the early 2000s and shaped the lives of many adults nowadays. A laid back rock song, it is perfect to listen to when the sun is out and you and your friends are cruising down the road. Rather than hearing Sean Paul on the radio, you might be hearing Oswald Slain instead! “Sometimes you lose, that’s just life,” the song tells the listener — and who can’t relate to that? The song is followed by ‘Mystery Bag’, which perfectly continues the streak of soundtrack-sounding anthems and tracks that include great instrumental moments. It opens with the strumming of the guitar, holds a pause in which the silence is only disturbed by quiet beeps right before the second chorus, and has a distorted-sounding instrumental bridge.
Four songs in, it is time for the EP’s title track, which is introduced by drums, some guitar and a sound that might have been made by a ratchet and which can continuously be heard throughout the song. It makes for a very unique track that stands out even on this short EP. “I’m in way over my head and it’s too late to apologize,” the chorus goes — and for the outro, the lead singer repeats the words “to apologize” over and over again, almost screaming them out, creating a very intense and effortlessly cool ending.
Finally, the EP ends with a track that also stands out — but for a wholly different reason. ‘Baby Boy’ is a piano-led, almost country-like ballad and the shortest track on the EP. It is an adorable little track about being awkward and always doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. “I missed the cue, missed the best bit,” the lyrics go as the lead singer sums up a wide array of personal failures. The track gives off a Fleetwood Mac-vibe and is the perfect one to close the EP with — especially as the final lyric goes “I’m just trying to do the best I fucking can.”
Kiss Me on the Mouth is a five-track EP that is a lovely debut for this British, retro-sounding rock band. In April, the band will be putting on some shows across the UK — make sure to catch them live as these songs will certainly shine even more on stage.
Written by: Mandy Huibregtsen
Edited by: Ilse Muis
