EP review: Sadness & Complete Disappointment – Fun

It’s hard to believe that Brit grunge trio Sadness & Complete Disappointment have never played a show. This debut EP captures the energy of a live setting, with its loud and rough-around-the-edges sound, and screams to be played in front of audiences, characterised by the contrast between the blaring guitars and the delicate, almost operatic vocals, with their brand of goth-punk-tinged-grunge striking the perfect balance between dramatic and gritty.

It kicks off with Monotony, which sets the anything-but-monotonous tone, which dips in and out of dialed-back moments and all-out blasts of sound, a confident, angsty song marked by its driving guitars, almost dropping off entirely at one point before thrillingly building back up again. Similarly, Oh, Rapture! is unpredictable, as the sweeping hooks seamlessly carry the song to its explosive ending. The dramatic Survivor’s Guilt is the most unexpected song of the bunch, weaving through grooves with an expert swagger as it escalates into layered harmonies around the words ‘Is it still survivor’s guilt if I don’t intend to survive?’

Fun is impressive for a first EP, a self-assured, triumphant offering that shows that Sadness & Complete Disappointment are not afraid to be bold and make (more than) a little noise. It leaves you excited for what they’ll do next, and counting down the days until they finally get to play a show.

Verdict: 4/5

For Fans Of: Creeper, The Distillers, Sonic Youth

Fun is released on March 5.

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