Balance Lost - Apolo Nights EP

Balance Lost

Apolo Nights EP
self-released; 2015

3.7 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Balance Lost is the duo of Matt Hayward and Pete Glover. Last year we reviewed their EP Little Signs to moderate praise and they are back with another four-song EP entitled Apolo Nights EP. The band has some contributors this time around who greatly benefit the band. 

The first song “Apolo Nights” featuring Becci Farley is by leaps and bounds the best song the band has done and certainly the best track on this EP. If they can make Farley the full-fledged lead singer they should make it happen. It brings a whole new angle to their music. It has a similar vibe to that of the Chromatics or College. The song is instantly catchy and everything from the guitar riff to the vocals is immediately palatable ear candy. A certified exceptional song that is a gem.

“MCA” is another solid song. It’s not as immediate as the first song but certainly has some inspired moments. The clean picked guitar against the kinetic rhythm section works very well. I have to say the vocals here are quite good on this track but at the same time it had a hard time standing up to such an exceptional opening act.

It was on “Demand More” that I realized the band has a bit of Menomena vibe. Some of the energy is something similar you would find on I Am the Fun Blame Monster!. The runner up award goes to “March feat. Thanks For The Frisbee.” It displays excellent production techniques and know how. The combination of the airy vocals, electronic and guitar parts is near intoxicating at points. 

Apolo Nights is an EP that proves that the duo not only plays very well with others but that it can improve the band’s arsenal and delivery; food for thought for the band - especially if they plan on releasing a full-length anytime soon. The only other thing I hope to see happen is that the recording quality improves by about fifteen percent. They have a dirty, lo-fi thing going on right now which works but in some instances there is not enough separation within the mix. Overall, this is the band's best work to date. Let’s keep rollin’. 

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