Indie Blog Scotland -"Milkshakes" by Soft Launch

Ah, Soft Launch. What happened? From larger than anybody else in the indie scene by a long shot, to a consistent yet downwards progression. This band were never for me in the first place, but I'm honestly amazed at how their last few tracks have gotten progressively worse. And it's a real shame. After Cartwheels, I was convinced they would continue to grow - especially given their praise after supporting James Marriott.

Soft Launch would form in 2022, composed of Josh McClorey and Henry Pearce, later gaining Conor Price and Benedict Quinn in addition to Ben Limmer as a touring-turned-band member. Henry and Ben are also members of Declan McKenna's band, where I believe some of the more synthesised, electronic influences stem from.

Vocally, the track features quite strongly - the presentation of the lyrics and the emphasis on certain words is pretty good. As well as vocals, from a musical standpoint, the bassline is quite catchy - it puts me in mind of some of the older stuff that Nile Rodgers was a part of. But they're about all I can write home about.

That being said, the overall structuring of the track is confusing, unclear, and arguably quite vapid. The lyrics are bland, it sounds like the band have just discovered compressors, the drums are both far too prominent and way too muffled at the same time, and they seem to have an insatiable obsession with high-pitched backing vocals.

To me, it's as if they're obsessed with getting radio play, and are trying every trick in the book to get there. Every kick clap combo, the poppy synths, the high pitches trying to mimic the likes of Harry Styles. But it's not a good blend - it's like if you had all of the finest ingredients for a Michelin-star meal, and gave them to an untrained line cook without a recipe. The potential is there, but it loses out in the production.

Maybe these songs will work better in an EP or Album, rather than independently. But at the moment, they aren't - and unfortunately for the band, Milkshakes just doesn't work as a single.

Overall

Vocals - Well-presented with clarity

Bassline - Bouncy and fun, reminiscent of Nile Rodgers

Strengths:

Weaknesses

Literally everything else. So much potential but no cohesion.

Harry Styles wannabes.