Break the Circle Review

Opaque - Break The Circle - Day Glow Radio's Totally Unbiased Review!

So, it's been 4 years since The Last Moustache first greeted our ears. In that time Opaque have achieved an awful lot for an unsigned local band, having been involved in organising and contributing to music & arts festivals, such as Grassroots, Small World, and Secret Garden Party, running the Glass Onion community centre and promoting events, music and arts that have massively furthered Peterborough's much neglected cultural underbelly.

Now they are back with a sophomore album that proves that The Last Moustache was no fluke.
Break The Circle is an album about change and development, much like the organic way in which the band, and peterborough's ever evolving arts scene, has grown over these years. Their sound has blossomed and become more layered, more mature, a bit darker at times yet still with an uplifting singalong element, and, as ever, more and more unlike any other band you've heard.
Added to the line up have been many collaborative musicians from the local area and beyond, bringing the extra flavours of cello, saxophone and jazz piano to the already eclectic electrofolkrock wonkypop sound that is Opaque.

First single Karma is a breezy feather light groove with a serious message, while next single Ball Of Fire is quite simply scorching! With a synth line that sounds like Egyptian sufis at a rave winding in and out of gypsy punk guitars and aggressive urgent vocals that will have everyone on their feet once the tour commences.
Taken By Surprise is another highlight; opening with a mariachi band style flamenco intro and featuring backing vocals from Abi Evans from FreePeace, it starts as a soft lulling acoustic ballad before breaking into a rapid catchy chorus with shout along lyrics about the shock factor of falling in love.
The Lady Is A Tramp is classic Opaque, a runaway train of a song that doesn't stop for breath with stabs of sax exploding into the noise of bassist Chopper disposing of a broken guitar in the true rock and roll style.
Topically, they have progressed as well, with songs addressing political madness and racial equality to name a few themes touched upon. And lyrics about the more traditional subjects, such as love and break ups and whatnot, are emotionally charged and poetically elegant.
Album closer All About The Music is one of their most beautiful songs, with charming lyrics that will really strike a chord with anyone who has ever found comfort in sound.

All that remains for you to do is get your hands on a copy, preferably the deluxe edition that comes in stunning packaging with beautiful artwork and a bonus remix CD with floor-filling reworkings of the album's tracks by local DJs, blending Opaque's sound with everything from dubstep and triphop to breakbeat and techno.

DOWNLOAD NEXT SINGLE BALL OF FIRE HERE

Click the tour poster for new updated lists of tour gigs