EP Review | Dream State – Still Dreaming
Fresh off the back of their successful U.K. tour with As December Falls at the end of last year, Welsh rockers Dream State are back with a brand new EP to kick off 2024 in style. With a big year already lined up including a headline tour and several festival appearances, the four piece Carmarthen icons are here to step things up a gear.
The record kicks off with the instrumental ‘Introduction’ made up atmospheric melodies that give off strong walk out track vibes before blasting straight into a very strong opener and title track, ‘Still Dreaming’. Singer Jessie Powell drives this track with her powerful vocals combined with pumping drum grooves that give the lyrical melodies space to breathe.
Next up is the first single that landed last year, ‘Chin Up Princess’. The verses build up to stabbing & chaotic guitars with Jessie’s guttural screams before the chorus switches things up with clean vocals and the super catchy motivational lyrics “tomorrow is a new day”‘. The shifting dynamics continue throughout from ethereal melodic moments to heavy breakdowns which include an incredible long and striking scream from Jessie.
Taking their place in the middle of the EP is ‘Calling Out’ and recent single ‘Anxious State of Mind’ – both showcasing their diversity of songwriting with a range of vocal styles, layered guitars, drums and synths. Each instrument has it’s own place in the mix while still leaving space for the lead and backing vocals to shine. The tracks have a polished yet still raw and heavy feel that give off exactly what people love about Dream State.
‘Set Free’ is the penultimate tracks that comes in the form of another instrumental that breaks up the otherwise none stop power of this record. It’s melodies and gentle steady beat has such a calming feel that really does make you feel like you are ‘still dreaming’. This acts as a nice calm before bringing things back up again with final track ‘Day Seeker’ which really sums up what this band are all about by providing an outlet for their emotions. It takes inspirations from their heaviest influences while also indulging in more poppier tendencies.
“Still Dreaming” is interesting, varied and emotive, each song is well-written and a fun listen. This is an EP that finds the band in confident mode and rocking their signature style, unafraid to take a few risks, and as ‘is so often the case, it finds fortune favouring the brave. This record helps cement Dream State’s place as a prominent force in the UK’s rock music scene and with their headline tour around the corner, the future is looking bright.
Watch the video for new single “Day Seeker” here:
Listne to the full EP here:
You can catch Dream State on tour across the following dates below:
28th March 2024- Patti Pavilion, Swansea
29th March 2024- Lost Horizon, Bristol
30th March 2024- Cavern, Exeter
1st April 2024 – The Bullingdon, Oxford
4th April 2024 – Zerox, Newcastle
5th April 2024 – Cathouse, Glasgow
6th April 2024 – Corporation Sheffield
7th April 2024 – Canvas, Manchester
9th April 2024 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
10th April 2024 – Waterfront Studio, Norwich
11th April 2024 – The Black Prince, Northampton
12th April 2024 – Asylum, Birmingham
13th April 2024 – Takedown Festival, Portsmouth
14th-16th June 2024 – Download Festival, Donington Park
Words by Craig McInnes
