Small Pond - Small Pond Presents: Emerging Vol. IV (2024) Hi-Res

Small Pond Records is a multi-faceted business in Brighton with community driven values who continue their Arts Council England funded Emerging artist development programme with Volume 4 of their compilation album series. Once again giving sixteen talented, diverse young acts (aged 16-25) from Brighton and the South of England the opportunity to rehearse, record, and release their music via Small Pond’s professional studio, label, and marketing set-up.

We are led into this release with `Hell is an Ocean` from noisy alt rock three-piece Jar of Blind Flies with its grungy fuzzy overtones with a pounding drumbeat and inviting vocals that really draw you in possibly to a place that you shouldn`t really go. We have another trio in Modessa whose `Burning` is a hypnotic slice of enticing rock.

Bones Ate Arfa whom I read are a psychedelic street punk/desert rock three-piece share `Death is A Traffic Sign` and in its short lifespan this track veers from an all-out, in your face screaming assault on your senses one minute to a more reflective contemplation. `sutures` comes from Could Be Ghosts a hardcore emo quintet which sounded an odd combination until you listen to the track which begins at ninety miles an hour with growled vocals before becoming more almost serious as it flits between the twin genres. The title `sutures` equates to a stitch or row of stitches holding together the edges of a wound or surgical incision and in an odd way that kind of sums up this offering.

Epsom Salts are Brighton’s self-proclaimed “worst punk band” and share `Burning Memory` which is a fast paced serving of stop start jagged intimidating noise and unlike the band name won`t treat constipation, relieve pain, or relax muscles. `Curdle` from FUZZTAZER is a delightfully absorbing listen which kind of hints as if it’s about to explode but manages to keep itself in check until the final thirty seconds.

Kalopsia are an alternative rock quartet whose name means the delusion of things being more beautiful than they really are, offer up `Parasite` a swirling mixture of sludgy grungy at times gothy rock that will draw you into its fascinating web. Post punkers Room 3 share `Dependency` a rhythmic rolling number that wouldn`t be out of place in an Idles set.

Slimy Bench who have been described as offering a tantalising blend of punk, grunge, pop, shoegaze, garage rock, hardcore and some niche genre of rock deliver `Me?` and it manages to encompass all these combinations and more in its brief one hundred and fifty-four seconds of life. `It Ain`t Pretty` is a delightful melodic indie jangle pop earworm from Bacci Pouch which seems as if it’s been transported from another era.

Although `Postman` from The Wrong Trousers only runs at just over two minutes it packs a hell of a punch with some appealing guitar riffs that gave it a bit of a retro sixties feel. Jeff Ubetcha are a quirky math rock/midwest emo quartet whose `Space Flying Tiger drop` is a delicious unconventional aural delight.

The wonderfully named Austin Showers offer up `Sunshine` which kind of rolls along with a trippy rhythmic vibe that will not fail to get you at least shuffling along to. The infectious `Multi-Vitamins` from Crimson is an uplifting slice of jangly indiepop which will supply sustenance to any ailment your suffering from.

Jack Smith was the bass player in CURRLS and this solo composition `Good Day` is a melancholic melodic number which had a hint of Elliot Smith to me. The final submission is `Peroxide` from Sonic Crush which has a synthy darkwave texture, while quite repetitive is a fairly compelling listen.

I have to admit that I really enjoy these compilations that feature bands that you`ve never heard of but may get the opportunity to catch in a live outing or just consider investigating further.

Small Pond`s `Emerging Volume 4` proves that the up-and-coming music scene in Brighton is certainly in a healthy place.