EP REVIEW: The Bloody Nerve – ‘Blue’

2013 has seen the resurrection of American rock, with the un-avoidable pop-rockers Haim at every turn and The Orwells slamming their way into the UK’s mainstream with the purest form of punk rock. It was impossible not to be influenced by the giants making their way from America. But one of the most distinctive sounds, which slipped through the net of the mainstream last year, was Nashville band The Bloody Nerve. However, everything’s about to be shaken up in 2014, due to their release of ‘Blue’.
The Bloody Nerve had a mammoth end to 2013, seeing the release of the ‘3EP’ ‘Red’.  Red was a radical boundary pusher for the Nashville duo, consisting of three game-changing tracks, each one containing something innovative and new that left the listener hankering for more. But now, the anticipated wait for another original set of soul-pleasing tracks is over.  They’re bigger, they’re better and they’ve got so much more class. World: make room for Blue.
Christmas came early for die-hard Bloody Nerve fans, with Blue’s release exploding on Christmas Eve. The second 3EP from the band surpasses all expectations set and really blows Red out of the water, due to sheer sophistication and precision. Each song brims full of chemistry between Stacey Blood and Laurie Ann Layne; you can really feel the enthusiasm they share floating throughout the tracks.
With Blood manning the main vocals on first track ‘Changin’ Mind’, we’re immediately subjected to a tragically beautiful end to a relationship. The bluesy vibes are complimented with the deeply saddening keyboards, which haunt the edges of this country influenced mantra. “Everybody lied when they said love was blind” – could this be a warning deep from the heart of Blood’s own past experiences in love?
The EP takes a twist with ‘Strange’, which brings forth the gritty rawness that The Bloody Nerve do best. The dominant drum pounds throughout the song, flattered by the building subtleness of the electric guitar. An explosion of colour echoes from your speakers and you’re left with a smile painted across your face. Easily the best track on the EP, ‘Strange’ is a song you’ll be hearing a lot more of in the future.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end, with last track of the EP – ‘She’. Laurie Ann Layne’s voice sounds like a wounded warrior; soft and gentle, yet powerfully mesmerising at the same time. With a gospel choir feel to the track, the band has produced an uplift sure to cure any hard or painful time. ‘She’ is a 4 minute 21 second inspiration and, much like Strange, there’s something of an edge to the subtle guitar lurking in the background that ties the whole song together.
Blue is stunning. Giving an in-depth insight into the minds of Layne and Blood, and highlighting the chemistry that is running between them, is what the EP does best. It speaks hope – there’s always a lighter side to every darkened situation. You just have to open the window.
Ella Scott
Ella Scott

Ella Scott

Gigslutz Editor, token Geordie and Blur fangirl. Naturally, achieving Vicky Pattinson's VIP edge is what drives me to get up in the morning.