PREMIERE: Picture The Scene – Picture The Scene (2020)
Truthfully, the first thought I had when listening to Picture The Scene‘s self-titled debut album was “daaaaamn, this is good!” I could just leave the review there, but then I wouldn’t be doing my job, would I? So, jump into the world of Picture The Scene with me.
The brainchild of Lewis Speirs, Picture The Scene is an alt-rock meets rock and roll meet something of a grunge style solo project. Co-produced with his friend Ben Smith, the UK-based duo have created a highly distinct genre-bending sound. While Speirs released three of the four tracks on Picture The Scene earlier in the year, it is the comprehensiveness of all four into a single EP that fully displays Speirs’ talent.
A highly guitar-driven record, three of the four songs begin with captivating guitar chords exploding into passionate solos in ‘DIY’, ‘Get Out’ and ‘Ceasefire’. What I find amusing is how Speirs grabs your attention and gets your head bopping in the first ten seconds without saying a single word. Once he does open his mouth, the throaty vocals add a grittiness to Picture The Scene. While the initial, and previously released, high-speed tracks can take you on a rollercoaster of a ride, it is the final track that shows Speirs’ true versatility.
Potentially my favourite of the album, ‘Picture The Scene’ is a soothing, heartwarming piano-led ballad. Taking it down a notch, the track sits somewhere between Janice Joplin and The Maine with soulful Kurt Cobain vocals. It may not have the “in your face” power of ‘DIY’, ‘Get Out’ and ‘Ceasefire’, but ‘Picture The Scene’ is forceful in its own soft way.
Picture The Scene is a fiery, emotional, slightly frenzied EP boasting overwhelming intimacy, innovation and depth. Bowling you over from the first second, it touches your heart and soul leaving you with goosebumps and a silly grin on your face. Thing is, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
For more from Picture The Scene check out his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
