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Indie [Release date 22.02.22]
Rock is a genre that holds the key to so many subgenres. The umbrella term for so many artists, it may seem too broad a word. But sometimes we really do just need the reliability of some classic Alt-Rock to get us through the bad days and externalise what’s going on in our heads. Look no further than Pharmacose. With this band, what you see is what you get, and their album Prescription Fiction (originally released as two EP’s) might just be what the doctor ordered. In a world where the importance of our mental health and the stigmatisation of mental illness is becoming rightfully understood, musicians that spread a message of honesty are evermore necessary.
Singer and rhythm guitarist Wes Jones started the band with Lu Rubino (bassist – and a seasoned one at that, having shared the stage with the likes of Paramore) under the name Digital Array in 2017, the rest of the current ensemble completed later with drummer Albert Cruz and lead guitarist Kevin Horne. Together, the band create a sound peppered with the influences of the modern rock age. Think Green Day or Stone Temple Pilots.
The album takes listeners on a journey through frontman Wes Jones’ own experiences with bipolar disorder and medication, as well as talking more generally about feelings that everyone can relate to. These themes drive this album forward, the lyrics, artwork and aesthetic also complimented by Jones’ own experience as a practicing medical doctor. These kinds of discussions can be hard pills to swallow (pun unintended); Prescription Fiction may help those seeking solace in the knowledge they aren’t alone, but with the warm embrace of a familiar genre. Even more importantly, it could reach those that are struck by its resonance unexpectedly.
The song “Checked Out” is just one example of the many anthemic tunes that adorn this record, creating a juxtaposition between the absent mental space the lyrics describe and the undeniable presence of self that comes with singing your heart out to rock anthems. BANGS! Music & Entertainment say of Pharmacose’s work, “There’s a mix of hard-driving rock and roll, punctuated on some verses with the melodic aplomb of alternative, with the modern sensibilities of emotional music. The vocals of Wes Jones carry some angst, with a mix of anger, sadness and bewilderment.” The entirety of this statement ‘checks out’ (pun absolutely intended this time), other tracks like “The Clearing” and “Alternate Reality” just a couple more stand-out examples.
This whole album is consistent in its sound, whilst also managing to take us on a journey through a few of the many complex thoughts and emotions that come with awareness of mental health. It is familiar in its style, and daring in its subject matter. These elements work in tandem to draw in listeners it is safe to assume Pharmacose would want: loyal people who don’t shy away from the heavy things in life, but that also just love a bit of reliable rock. ***
Review by Caitlin Kelly
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
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