Well you'd have to say that English band Den Haag have the non-musical elements of the post-punk/new-wave bands they admire down to a tee. An eastern European sounding band name, press shots that show them posing straight-faced in long dark coats. They look as if they've just arrived via a train from 1981 and their sound, for the most part, follows suit. Formed last April, they've done well to get the mini-album point this quickly and the music doesn't seem confused at all, which either indicates that they're all on the same wavelength or they have one musical mastermind who's taken charge of the project. Either way, 'Trials & Tributes' isn't a bad way to announce your arrival.
There's nothing brain-meltingly outstanding here, it's more a case of a solid and competent beginning. 'Pilgrim' and 'Hope and Fade' are slightly formulaic and bland, but elsewhere the ghosts of post-punk past can be heard reawakening. The monotone 'Fallen Leaves' has a certain appeal in its emotionless delivery. It's when they turn on the afterburners and allow the punkier side to come through that they get the best results, with the two highlights, 'Tensions' and 'Hustle', bookending the EP, the latter maybe being the finest song here. The moody 'Eliza Blaine' runs them close though, bringing in a small amount more melody that helps add colour. 'Trials & Tributes' is an all round decent record, they just need to take things up a notch to make bigger inroads.
Den Haag's website
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