This double A-side single release from The Black Sand is their first professional studio recording. They have been simmering for a year in their Collier’s Wood mansion-house, cultivating their unique sound, making contacts, and investing in shiny toys, and now they are ready to boil over and soak London with their guitar-led, alt-rock, genre-hopping eruption.

The setup of the band is a tried and tested formula – pretty-boy front man, mad-scientist lead guitarist, and a rock solid rhythm section. Each member excels in their role, not just in terms of musicianship but also innovation. When they come together as a unit, the sound is quite brilliant.

While the Black Sand can definitely be considered an alternative rock band, they refuse to be pigeonholed, weaving a variety of different influences and styles into every song. Within these two songs, they prove they the have the power simultaneously fuck your brain and break your heart.

Bookends is a melodically driven stadium-rocker, taking influence from the likes of Jonsi, James and U2. Charlie Shawcross’s guitar parts really shine in this track and the ambient backing vocals are a nice touch. Ben Myatt’s vocals are emotive and powerful, and there is great imagery in the lyrics. This is the strongest of the two tracks, and doubtlessly a live favourite at their shows.

Jurassic Coastline Blue is something of an epic electro-rock monster, spanning a total of six and a half minutes. There are much heavier and darker shades in this track, featuring some tasty riff-age in the chorus, and great work from Cian Farah on the drums. There’s a psychedelic breakdown near the end with a dramatic vocal performance and trippy guitar loops, and it all builds to a balls-out climax that leaves you on a high.

The Black Sand have arrived on the London alternative scene with a fresh sound, bags of confidence, and a healthy dose of swagger. Bookends/Jurassic Coast Line Blues is due for digital release on 11^th April, and will be available as a free download here: http://theblacksand.bandcamp.com/

By Nicholas Shaikh