"The Dawn": Lloyd's Money zeroes in on a vibrant sonic identity in the exciting new EP.

For Lloyd's Money, "The Dawn" isn't just another EP before a milestone revelation, such as an expansive album. In this project, the indie band has put in considerable hours to step into a more professional realm of recording. Always a daunting step for DIY embracing artists, it hasn't hindered their penchant for spontaneity as performers; it's ever so ubiquitous in their latest compilation of tracks, signaling an interesting turn for the collective.

The indie-rock outfit came to be quite recently in 2022, yet has gained steady repute in the Halifax music circuit through an uptempo on-stage persona. Their specialty as a live act carries a propulsive touch to whatever they have to offer. Inspired by the sunny and laidback attributes of Surf and Garage rock, their instrumentation is fairly upbeat. In the debut (and impressively well put-together) album "LIP BOMB," expect anything from a rowdy, buzzing ensemble ("Miami Vices") to a cynical performance on easygoing "Feeling Strange."

After the single "your steps" last year, they have upped their ambitions and worked towards a bigger goal consisting of five distinctive tunes under "The Dawn" EP. Reinforced by finer audio-engineering and years of honed instincts inculcated from live-show improvisations and basement recording, the outcome is an authentic and free-flowing assortment. Right from the outset, "your steps II" revitalizes the 2024 single with a blazing punk rock essence— all the essential traits, such as resonating and melodic guitars, shine through alongside the angst-laced vocals (a contrast to the rough-edged timbre of its predecessor). The follow-up "Radio" is more mercurial, equipping the Garage-Punk rock ethos resounding through the unmistakable, frantic strut of drums and grungy fuzzbox-amplified riffs (accentuated by the moody yet unrelenting vocals). 

Depicting a love at first sight encounter in the midst of chaos at a music show, "Seahorse Girl" displays a joyful temperament in its frisky groove, soaring melodies, and head-over-heels singing bundled together. This particularly turned out to be our favorite, representing the liveliness of the EP with a grabby hook. "Flowers" vents off frustration after being a recipient of mixed signals in a stagnating situationship, as verses develop into upbeat (if not cathartic) choruses. Silence reigns in with "Jo's Interlude," which initiates the eponymous finale— the band breaks their character, rendering a song filled with despondency inflicted by heartbreak. The arrangements begin on a delicate and fragile touch, snowballing into a raised, intense crescendo during the last minute. Although the group's musical signature is consistently ebullient, what this sentimental finishing has to offer is something more intimate, and admirably done so by the group despite being in a new, unfamiliar territory. 

Listen to "The Dawn" on Spotify, and stay connected with Lloyd's Money on Instagram.