★★★★☆

Hailing from Burlington, Vermont, First Known Use, consisting of Izzy Kaukonen and Ethan Fitzpatrick, burst onto the mellow indie-rock scene just this Autumn with the single and video, ‘Semantics’ in late September. Now, we hear their debut EP ‘Yielding’, a perfectly promising five-track project itching to be performed to an audience; they have the stamina and flair of a local band you would go to see for £5 in your local pub, get absolutely blown away by, and then struggle to get tickets for a few months later. 

The ‘Semantics’ video felt like a peek into what’s to come with ‘Yielding’, an endearingly homegrown story, filmed in what felt like someplace recognisable and nostalgic. It’s only right that this track opens up the EP; it’s familiar, akin to the likes of early Clairo bedroom-pop era within Kaukonen’s entrancingly whispery vocals-, that is, of course, until the guitar comes in, switching up the narrative instantaneously; think Beabadoobee’s ‘Fake it Flowers’, just a little more rockstar-esque. This track feels like the correct place to begin, and ‘Mirage’ follows on idealistically. This one is 90’s, but in a slightly different genre similarity: a dream-pop shoegazey track that would accompany a damp walk in the forest after rainfall, moody but hard not to romanticise- not too much of a jump, but definitely a skip away from the energy felt in ‘Semantics’.

‘Synthesis’ jumps out following the almost chilled ‘Roadkill’, as we get a taste of grunge. In a more blunt and emotion-driven vocal performance, this track excludes anger in a way that feels nothing but cathartic; the drowning of the repetitive lyrics in the final minute of the song, with an abrupt ending, doesn’t go unnoticed, the eerie guitar noise haunting the vocals. Tying back to ‘Roadkill’, however, this track weighs heavily on the mind after the first listen; the beginning is reminiscent of the ethereal nature of a Mazzy Star song, until it breaks down with crashing noises and radio signals, a track with less energy yet a captivating atmosphere. 

This EP is all tied up with ‘A Knife’, a production-heavy journey that melds in all the best features of the previous tracks, an almost electronic moment turned swiftly into a ballad of longing, fizzling out and leaving the rest up for interpretation and leaving the listener only wanting more. First Known Use has the sound to fill up an arena, and there’s no doubt that they’re on the road to success. This act is marvellous, melodic, and bound to blow up; they truly are something to be excited about, even at only one EP into their career. 

Amy Porter

 @amy.louiseporter

Image: ‘Yielding’ Official EP Cover

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