Including multiple genres that range from dark dystopian hip-hop to infectious and groovy dance, you become embroiled in their mad minds the deeper you go. And whilst bouncing from one world to another can be exciting, your sometimes find your head can be spinning from the wild ride.
Opener "If You Walk" feels hauntingly familiar and could fit perfectly to the opening credits of a lost spaghetti western. Choral vocals and castanets reel you in and so begins the tale of a lonely cowboy navigating the big bad world. We return to this motif with "On To The Next One" – Spanish guitar and a classic hip hop beat blend seamlessly whilst the vocals shine especially with the collaboration of Irish musician Aby Coulibaly. Reflective lyrics highlight the fatigue that comes with the banality of life (“sharks are circling so swim for your life”) however, a more hopeful tone comes with "High Road," where our cowboy has regained energy and the Balkan beat carries an intense amount of mosh pit potential.
Parking the Western theme to one side, Sad Night Dynamite show another facet of themselves on their debut. Aligning more with their previous releases, some tracks become bass heavy and hip-hop inspired, but with a unique twist. Showing a softer side to British rap, "Godfather" would definitely be on a modern Tony Soprano’s playlist (the gunshots sell it) whereas melancholic "White Lie" recounts the heartbreak of another type of lonely cowboy.
The groovy side to the record relies on disco rhythms and big brass to bring the mood back up. However these tracks seem randomly inserted into the record's tracklisting. A tribute to the modern breadmakers of society, "Sugabby" follows the reserved and reflective sounds of "White Lie" with a manic burst of energy and good vibes. While it's infectiously dancey and a great track, its placing in the record feels like a shock to the system. The same happens after "Godfather," as Daft Punk inspired "Wake Up Pass Out" shifts gears rather suddenly – electronic synths fly by as Mark Ronson-esque melodies accompany falsetto vocals.
This trifecta of spaghetti western, haunted hip-hop and high energy disco are not the only genre points that Sad Night Dynamite hit. Dark electronica and 90s inspired rap work their way in too and present the many sides of the duo. This complex debut is full of easter eggs and you won’t be lost finding something new with each listen. While it's a cleverly produced and fun ride in their limo, Welcome The Night highlights the fact that choosing one path is where this duo struggles, but their diversity is what makes them shine.
