Substitute Yourself

Hit The Floor! Magazine wrote of 'Disasters: Ways To Leave a Scene':

“Following the self-release of two EPs and extensive touring with the likes of InMe and The Xcerts, Broken Links are set to release their first full-length album next week – and here’s the score.

Broken Links are one of a kind, a desperate, post-apocalyptic fusion of music from another age, electro-rock pulsing behind melancholic vocals and haunting lyrics with frenetic psychological elements. It’s rare enough that a band can live up to what they imagine themselves and their sound to be, but this time around,the band have gotten it spot on for once. Strong starter ‘Electrick’ is full of effortless hooks and an almost industrial backing synth, charging forwards into a pitch-perfect chorus that could make Matt Bellamy weak at the knees. ’Within Isolation’ is just as ruthless, it’s reminiscent of Depeche Mode‘s visionary body of work and just as powerful. It really harnesses some Class A inspiration, but what makes it stand out is that it doesn’t just copycat from the musicians who influenced it – it takes all of that inspiration and lets it grow into something really quite unique.

‘What Are You Waiting For’ is a drawling dip in pace, focusing more on the band’s rock side. Compared to most other songs on the record, it sounds a little naked and not as fully fleshed out as the majority of ‘Disasters’. ‘We’re All Paranoid’ rescues the flailing pace with a sure-fire, dance-able core riff layered on top of some anthemic, slightly indie vocals and triumphant guitar. Things take a darker turn at ‘Choice/Decay’, one part instrumental, one part song that sounds like it’s the backing track to a time machine gone wrong. An almost militant drumbeat builds up to the eerily slow part two full of rising and twanging bass. The vocals are the real star of the show here but the instruments keep up the tempo well.

‘Therapy Sessions in the Dark’ touches upon artrock briefly, further expanding the mecca of rock subgenres Broken Links weave through, illustrating this band’s love of music and determination to explore and define their sound as much as they can. If you’re looking for something a little bit different with melancholy vocals and a hell of a lot of ambition, then look no further – Broken Links‘ first offering is exactly what you’re searching for.

[9/10]”