ALBUM REVIEWS
'ELEPHANT' - NECKBREAKERS
TRACK REVIEW BY DANI EVANS
I first came across NEKBREAKERS while covering Twin Atlantic’s set at Electric Ballroom in November 2024. They were an unexpected but welcome discovery—one of those rare bands that instantly transport you somewhere else. In their case, back to the summers of my adolescence, where Fleetwood Mac’s harmonies and The Beautiful South’s storytelling soundtracked long car rides and late-night conversations under the stars.
Formed in 2023 by Max, Georgie, and Ebony Palmer, NEKBREAKERS have built a reputation for their dynamic performances and the rare ability to seamlessly switch between lead vocalists. This unique approach is what makes "Elephant" such a compelling listen. The ep opens with a haunting, stripped-back guitar, allowing space for the lyrics to cut through: a poetic meditation on love, loss, and the weight of unspoken words.
Some songs hit like a freight train of emotion, while others creep up on you, settling in with a quiet intensity that lingers long after the last note fades. "Elephant," the latest single from UK trio NEKBREAKERS, manages to do both. A melancholic yet uplifting track, it’s a delicate balance of heartbreak and hope, wrapped in the band’s signature blend of layered vocals and nostalgia-soaked instrumentation.
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Album Art: Fraction Productions
As the track progresses, it builds into something cinematic—strings swell, harmonies intertwine, and the percussion kicks in like a heartbeat finding its rhythm again. There’s a push-and-pull between sorrow and resilience, a storytelling approach reminiscent of First Aid Kit but with an edgier, indie-rock undercurrent. Strings swell, harmonies lock in like a warm embrace, and suddenly, there's a flicker of hope in the rubble. It’s heartbreak, sure, but it’s the kind that makes you believe in picking yourself back up again. What sets it apart is its honesty. It doesn’t sugarcoat heartbreak, nor does it wallow in it. Instead, it embraces the complexity of moving on—acknowledging the pain while finding beauty in the process of healing - a bittersweet anthem.
"In Love," the second track on the EP, is that dizzying, slightly reckless feeling of falling headfirst into something new and wildly exciting. The song lets the band flex their vocal muscles, with Max’s low tones adding a velvety depth that brings it all to life. His voice adds a rich depth that anchors the track, giving it an unexpected warmth that you wouldn’t expect from a song about infatuation. Meanwhile, the harmonies between the band members are effortless, bouncing from light and flirtatious to passionate and all-consuming. It’s as if the song mirrors the emotional rollercoaster of love itself, with all its highs and lows, the push and pull. There’s an almost cinematic quality to the track—like you’re watching a scene from a film where everything feels a little magical, and maybe, just maybe, you’re about to fall in love with the wrong person. It’s layered and lush, with a rhythm that propels you forward, eager to see where it all leads.
As NEKBREAKERS continue to evolve, "Elephant" and "In Love" show a promising glimpse into their ability to capture the highs and lows of love and life with a blend of introspective lyricism and musical depth. These tracks showcase their knack for creating something both personal and universal, with enough raw emotion to make you stop and listen, but enough charm to keep you coming back for more. If this is where NEKBREAKERS are heading musically, then it’s only a matter of time before they break into even bigger stages.
★★★★★ 5/5