When I started this blog I intended reviewing Gigs, Albums and perhaps the odd record however life pressures have meant I’ve only been doing gigs. Then COVID-19 reared its ugly head and all gigs I had booked have been postponed or cancelled. I was thinking about doing short album reviews along the lines of “Albums that changed my life” when BLVFF asked me if I’d have a listen to their forthcoming single. Below is my review and for transparency I think it only fair to point out that I work for Solid State Logic, as a software developer, who supplied the mixing desk to the studio they recorded this track at. Also please note that lyric quotes are what I hear!

Who are BLVFF?

BLVFF are a 5 piece band from Coventry and describe themselves as Indie/Rock taking influence from Humbug early Arctic Monkeys mixed with Indie underdogs The Amazons. I happened to come across BLVFF at last year’s Marshall Amps Festival when I thought they were the best of the newcomers that I heard that day, read my review here. Since then BLVFF have been working hard playing numerous gigs and being mentioned as a band to watch on various radio stations and music channels, including BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio. They also made Indie Central Music Sound of 2019 list with “Crystal Ball” and “Shame” keeping excellent company with the likes of “Yonaka“, “Sam Fender”, “The 1975”, “Yungblud” and others. Oh and by the way the ‘V’ is Latin and pronounced as ‘U’ so BLVFF are “Bluff”.

Speaking about the track, front man Michael McCann explains “The song is based on mind games that often come before love, the misconceptions that follow when chasing a bad love conquest & succumbing at all costs. Being someone’s someone in vain, knowing it will go wrong and that you never wanted any of this”.

Want For Nothing

Opening up with a grungy guitar riff it’s only 5 seconds before Michaels distinctive voice kicks in with the opening lyrics. The rest of the band join in around the 20 second mark with a tune that had my feet tapping. This compact, precise, blistering melody has the backbeat of the drums, the sombre timbre of the bass through to the sharp guitars all combining to deliver sonic structure to the aural expressiveness of Michaels vocals. As a whole it’s a fabulous passionate soundscape.

The first part of the song deals with the coming realisation that, whilst you know it’s bad for you, the situation will eventually overwhelm you. The first verse closes as the lyrics implore that “In desperation though I will succumb” before the almost shattering crescendo of “Maybe I’ll be yours in vain”. The chorus line of “I don’t want for nothing, nothing, nothing” follows with all band members joining harmoniously.

Towards the end the person has become subsumed by the relationship beseeching “Supernova won’t you cease” as though consumed in a bright ball of fire bringing the awareness that “I can’t seem to get away”. The track ends with the same grunge guitar riff it began with.

Having listened through a few times I can hear and feel the melancholy in the voice, the realisation that it doesn’t matter that you know what’s happening you are stuck in the vortex. Although Michael has described it as “chasing a bad love” I feel that can apply to many situations, be it with someone or something. This “emotional dependency” is similar to that experienced by addicts and is the “something” I refer to. It’s a clever and complex track but then all great songs are and I’m sure this one will have different meanings to different listeners.

Compact and concise there’s nothing out of place and it’s great to listen to. It has that anthemic quality that live audiences will love and the live environment will give an added frisson that will draw you further into the song. I can see everyone head bobbing until the full band crashes over them from the speakers and the room erupts, jumping around like crazy despite the apparent message of becoming someone else’s shadow.

Far from “Want For Nothing” BLVFF have delivered a song that will leave you wanting for more so go and check them out on the usual social media platforms and SoundCloud. However I highly recommend that once we have overcome the current crisis you go and see them live after which you will appreciate this is a band going places.

“Want For Nothing” by BLVFF is out on April 24th 2020

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