The Colour Age is a modern display of catchy, upbeat indie music influenced by the ‘90s, which takes Red Ink away from the pop-rock sound of their previous
releases.
It’s safe to say the band’s decision was a good one; their latest EP is a much slicker, more artistic display of the band’s talents.
The strumming guitar, combined with the rolling drums sets a tone that is steady, yet light and happy. John J’s smooth yet emotive vocals work well with the cheerful tone of the album, while some singing in chorus adds an extra depth to the tracks.
The result is a highly polished, tight version of indie rock with every note precisely placed that could easily find a place in a commercial setting.
The first single released off the EP, “Euphoria”, is one of the band’s strongest tracks. Lyrically, it tells a story of love, elation and devotion. Instrumentally, it is
reminiscent of Red Ink’s pop-rock past while staying clearly within the confines of their new indie sound.
Unfortunately, The Colour Age dips into poor, as much as fantastic, lyric writing. For example, for “Promise”, the words are beautifully and brutally honest, telling the tale of a young pregnant girl, while in others like “Empty Town” they seem to be clichéd and tacky.
The album is great for an easy and enjoyable listen. There is no doubt that Red Ink is a band with considerable talent and potential. The EP demonstrates their ability to develop high-quality music but you can’t help but feel Red Ink aren’t breaking any new ground.
– Cara Jackson
