Album Review: Twist Helix - Machinery
For anyone missing the kind of live gigs where you can jump around and let off some steam, Twist Helix should be top of your list when your favourite live music venue opens its doors again.
The trio is led by Bea Garcia and backed up by Matthew Baron and James Walker, who support the lyrics with electro-pop tunes straight out of the 80s. Twist Helix’s sound is reminiscent of classic europop, which when coupled with Garcia’s hard-hitting messages tackling modern day issues, combine to form an album that is unique and truly stands out.
Kudos must be given to the group, who couple stark, serious words with an otherwise upbeat vibe. They are not afraid to display their vulnerability for all to see. In the second song on the album ‘Ghost’, we hear Garcia lament “Just ‘coz I’m a girl, I’ve become a ghost”, and sultry hit ‘Vultures’ takes a swing at the many in the music industry who take advantage of upcoming young artists like the band themselves.
At times Garcia’s passion and enthusiasm can be mistaken for borderline yelling at us through the speaker. But everyone in these testing times has something to get shout about. And if you’ve got two great artists like Barron and Walker behind you in support, then why wouldn’t you?
It is refreshing to hear Garcia switching between singing in English and Spanish in the track ‘Frida Kahlo’. Her slightly accented pronunciation is both endearing and intriguing. Twist Helix’s following in both the UK and Spain shows they can appeal across cultures and suggests they may be around for a long time.
The standout track is undoubtedly ‘Frida Kahlo’. The song shines a light on the culture of forgetting the true ‘self’ and being consumed by projecting an image through social media and pop culture. What follows is the eponymous ‘Machinery’, and, man, it packs a punch. The group are not afraid to pay homage to where they are from - their first album was entitled Ouseburn and it’s first track named simply ‘Newcastle’ - and ‘Machinery’ mentions more North-eastern hotspots close to Garcia, Barron and Walker’s hearts.
It would be fair to say that this album is more vibrant than Ouseburn. Opening single ‘Louder’ gives a great introduction to the kind of music that awaits. Fast, loud and fun, you’ll reach the end feeling like you’ve just stepped off a waltzer. Machinery is the perfect pick-me-up for a winter day in lockdown that reminds us there are exciting things to come.
Words: Bethany Lodge