Whitelands albums

Band Members:

Etienne Quartey-Papafio (vocals, guitar), Jagun Meseorisa (drums), Edward Coma (bass), Vanessa Govinden (bass), Michael Adelaja (guitar)

2024

Night-Bound Eyes are Blind to the Day - 87%

Some records wear their influences on their sleeves while some transcend it, the fun thing here is both happened. Perhaps it’s the smooth singing of Etienne Quartey-Papafio or the majestic guitar playing that just never misses a chance to create epic echoes. There are the mood pieces like opener “Setting Sun” or the fabulous “born in Understanding”, or songs that really swoon combining not only Slowdive and Swervedriver (the obvious comparisons) but also the indie rock calm of Broken Social Scene, the easy stand out track “Tell Me About It.” While reassuring their foundations in classic rock, My Bloody Valentine is another touchstone on the ethereal “The Prophet and I”, but again more noise and obscurity shows off a deeper understanding of the hard rock of Band of Susans or even Serenah Meneesh in “How It Feels”. Slight missteps are there, as the pretty good “cheer” and “Chosen Light” are just kind of background ambience come pared to other tracks that really groove. In all, White lands debut record is beyond a promising one that establishes the band knows what it is doing at and executes it almost flawlessly- see closer “Now Here’s the Weather” for an immaculate prospect of future greatness.

Best Songs: Tell Me About It, Born in Understanding, The Prophet and I