After the dissolution of the award winning Gåte, Norwegian four-piece 22 bring us their debut EP ‘Plastik’. Going in with no previous knowledge of the band this EP is definitely a shock. Theatrical and atmospheric, opener ‘Plastik’ is a track that changes from complex, hardcore guitar riffs to almost Panic! At the Disco-like pop rock. It’s a brave choice of music and one that whilst initially interesting, doesn’t quite work and eventually begins to grate.
This is unfortunately the case for the rest of the 23 minute EP. ‘Oxygen’ follows the format of ‘Plastik’ adding a Euro-pop disco feel synth to the guitars before falling into the same trap of being interesting for a certain amount of time before interest in the track runs out. The one highlight of the track is the line “I would steal from my Mum, I would steal from my Sis…..ter” but comedic novelty isn’t really going to gain many fans.
The next three tracks are generally the same. 22 are certainly brave in trying to make an accessible, theatrical pop record, yet their attempts fall short of whatever they were aiming for. With an almost 25 minute running time, the EP drags in places and closer ‘Power is So Yesterday’ is a 6 minute epic in tedium and dissatisfaction.
A brave, albeit unsuccessful attempt at something different. Give it a listen if you want to try something artsy and serious otherwise you should probably avoid ‘Plastik’.
HENRY McCAUGHTRIE