Johannesburg alternative rock-outfit, Climate Control, has turned over a new page with their stunning sophomore full length album, Equals Not. This album took a unique DIY route with frontman, Nic Gonzalez responsible for the recording and production of the album. Bassist, Wesley Smuts and guitarist, Luca Zeeman were responsible for the evocative artwork and videos.

The quality of Equals Not cannot be underestimated with each track being uniquely different from the rest whilst still keeping the signature Climate Control sound. Equals Not is a personal story of love won and lost, regrouping from defeat, enjoying the intricacies of life and building towards something greater –  A cathartic musical journey in the forms of 12 superbly crafted tracks.

Here is a track by track review of Equals Not:

1. This Time

The opening track hits you with a signature guitar riff and some well-crafted synths to give the track that extra bit of texture. The instrumental part in the pre-chorus slows the song down perfectly and the clean guitar work together with synths and snare rim touches adds something different before a beautiful chorus takes the song forward. This is a really well-balanced song which focuses on love and all its various intricacies: “This time I can’t believe. That it’s taken so long. Just to wake up and remember. That you are my victory.”

When Gonzalez sings “I am awe of you and I intend to be more of what you crave,” with some funky voice altering effects, it really creates something unique and different to the overall sound and brings something extra to play. The instrumental stop and start passages are also highlights on this track. A solid start to Equals Not.

8/10

2. Before

A stunning piece of lead guitar work from Zeeman and Gonzalez starts this track off in typical Climate Control fashion with some fast paced melodic sections and palm-muted strumming to accent the hard hitting and frenetic nature of this track. The guitars just work perfectly in unison with the bass and drums on this track and is a true pleasure to the ear. Just a fantastically crafted riff in this genre.

Gonzalez’ vocals and lyrics are also some of his best on this track as he once again writes about love and the importance to let go of regret and fate and the need to let people in, when they feel excluded in relationships. The effects of unrequited love is one of the main topics in this track: “And as we fade, so will the memories we’ve made. So will it all, and like a candle burn. Into dust of once formed things.”

7/10

3. The Eyes

This is hands down one of my favourite tracks on the album for its heaviness, originality, lyrical content, song-structure and instrumentation. The song starts off with a xylophone/keyboard like melody which gets crystalised into your conscience before the gritty guitar and pounding drums take over against its backdrop. The verse is filled with crunchy palm –muted riffs and stop srart dsrumming that will delight any alternative rock fan, whilst the majestic chorus adds some much needed flow to the track with beautiful lyrics.

Dunningham’s drums after the second verse is one of the best aspects of the song as this sequences into a heavy and technical breakdown, which just sends shivers down your spine. It’s just breathtakingly brilliant. The chorus, “Our love was always aligned (Away away away) But you were never mine (Away away) Can you help me find A way, a way out? Do you still see me?” is sung with passion by Gonzalez as he shows his vocal range on this track.

9/10

4. Brand New

The first single from Equals Not is one of the best songs that Climate Control have produced in terms of creating an alternative rock feel, whilst also adding a pop sensibility to the track that enhances its marketability and catchiness. The bass work from Smuts is also excellent on this track and his short interlude after the first chorus is one of the highlights on the track.

The chorus: “Collect your things ‘Cause time is coming to untie these strings to the lives we’re given. And I know now we lost the plot a long time ago,” with the added vocal emphasis on “ago” is an example of how the band has grown musicality to create music that touches your soul and senses.

“We’re left to do what calls our hearts. In spite of this, we let our roots get buried deep. And knowing that we’ll all depart. We’re consumed by this notion of our fate that we create. We’re living in wait,” is also one of my favourite vocal parts on the album.

One of the tastiest aspects of the track is the drum groove after the second chorus (really enjoyed that added extra)

This is truly a well-rounded track and is deserving of praise.

9/10

5. Hello

The is not the most impressive track on the album in my opinion, as it does not have something extra to give it some punch, but overall it is still a solid track with a couple of heavy guitar riffs to keep things interesting. Gonzalez is once again on top of his game with his lyrics and vocals which focuses on relationships and the need to step away from destruction and playing the blame game.

One of the interesting aspects of “Hello” lies in the second verse which chances pace considerably into a new tempo which works well in the context of the track.

“Let’s trade problems, you and me. We’ll put on a smile and we’ll make believe that it’s all better now. That we’re all cured somehow. Show me yours, I’ll show you mine.”

6/10

6. We Move Along

The groovy jazzy guitar in this track just hits you in the feels from the start and makes you want to move, jump and dance as it just oozes rhythm. Really a refreshing intro that is different from the couple of opening tracks. The funky drumming from Dunningham must also be appreciated on this track. This is something different for Climate Control and they pull off this track with aplomb.

This is one of the ways in which you can see a musical maturity in the band with this creatively satisfying number.

There is a sense of rebuilding and renewal in this track and the chorus justifies this: Oh, you will not be Oh, the end of me. I’ve rebuilt these walls and patched up the holes. I’ve locked this gate. Oh, until better days.”

8/10

7. After the Fall

“After the Fall” has one of the best intros on the album with its palm-muted riff and clean guitar work that is almost reminiscent of something that Kings of Leon would play with a great drum and bass build-up before the distorted riffs kick in to full effect. This is such a great example of how to build tension and anticipation in a song – kudos to this one minute long musical masterpiece.

The fast paced hi-hat beats in the verse tickle your eardrums with delight as Gonzalez adds some potent lyrics in the verse and chorus afterwards: “And when she’s near. Will you look away, will you look away?(further than this life) That we hold so dear and when she leaves. Will you be OK, will you be OK after the fall?

The song gets some extra power as Smuts hits some dirty unclean vocals in the second verse, augmented with some dissonant guitar riffs – I’m glad that Smuts put in some growls on this album, as he has some great power in his vocals in my opinion: “If I had known how many years would come to pass without resolution. I’d take a few more risks and stop sitting still like this,” he sings.

The piece de resistance of this track lies in its hard hitting djent –like breakdown that will have you head-banging for days.

8. There Is No Rush

This is another one of Climate Control’s top guitar riff filled numbers with a superb lead part from Zeeman and Gonzalez really enthrals me every time I hear it. “There Is No Rush” once again showcases Climate Control at their absolute best with brilliant instrumentation and a truly fast paced progression.

Lyrically, this is one of the most powerful tracks on the album, which looks at youth, the importance of living in the moment and enjoying life as it is:

“When we were younger, the world made sense in every way. The skies looked brighter and we felt so free. The years bring wisdom but the dimming of the light came along and we all took our separate paths; we travel them alone. Do we believe in the world we knew or the one that now stands before us? Do we enjoy this life or live it like they told us to?”

8/10

9. Warrior

“Warrior” goes on from where the previous tack left off with some more melodic lead guitar work setting the scene for the rest of this track which focuses on embracing who you are even when times get tough: “And I’ll save the light that guided you here. Embrace the fight; enjoy the night. I’ll say goodnight, and leave you here. Embrace the fight; enjoy the night.”

“Warrior” has one of the best choruses on the album and just encapsulates everything that the band is about – Gonzalez soulful voice, soothing melodic guitar leads and poignant riffage. Gonzalez really shines in the chorus and it will be a treat to see him pull this song off in a live setting too.

7/10

10. ISTR

This is the instrumental track on the album and adds a bit of a breather to the listener – it still is a truly beautifully crafted piece of music, which showcases each element in the band to the fore, with some alternative rock shredding, breakdown beats, fast double bass drumming and stop start chugging.

If Climate Control can start each show with this instrumental then they will have loads of happy fans.

7/10

11. Kodokushi

“Kodokushi” translated from Japanese equates to a lonely death or general loneliness and in this track this theme is explored. The band does a great job with the lyrics and overall theme of the song with Phakathi putting in some great synth parts to create the mood.

The breakdown in the middle of the song is also one of the best part of the album in my opinion and is fantastically written without feeling forced – it sort of catches you by surprise. The lyrics are sad and emotive and adds to the feel of the track:

“I gave my life to someone else. They placed it on their highest shelf. So beautiful, so fragile yet. So poorly used, never broken in. One day our eyes began to dwell. On other things; we’d never tell. They glazed over as we lived inside. The constructs of our feeble minds.”

8/10

12. Little Mess Pt.II

Everyone who has heard the origianal “Little Mess” will recognise the clean guitar riff I nthe beginning as it harkens back to the original single. This is the second parts which takes the song to a deeper more mature level if you will. The reflection has now been done and pieces are put together both lyrically and musically. A slow burn of a track whcxih gets better with each listen. The best lyrics are “When your heart has finally packed up and moved on. So discoloured from all the times we’ve left it out in the rain. Just remember that we were just too weak to move on. We’re still standing there.”

Emotive , evocative and enthralling writing from a band at the top of their game.

8/10

If you are a fan of this band, or if you are not then you give Equals Not a go – it’s definitely worth a listen if you are in need of some soulful music with added punch.

Climate Control consists of Nicolas Gonzalez – Vocals/Guitar | Ricky Dunningham – Drums | Wesley Smuts – Bass/Vocals | Luca Zeeman – Guitar | Brooklyn Pakathi – Synths & Keys

https://www.facebook.com/climatecontrolband/