Hailing from Limerick, the five-piece Sweets have released their EP following their self-titled debut album, with a handful of remixed tracks and cleverly labelling it as “Assortment” – I like that.
Straight into it then – and I genuinely wasn’t sure what to expect – the band have proclaimed that their sound was for those who enjoyed “noise-rock, shoegaze, experimental hip hop, community-driven chaos” – wasn’t sure what this was but consider me intrigued at the very least!
The first track is “Thoughts” – remixed by MuRli…
There’s no doubt that it can immediately grab anyones attention with its crisp, high-energy mix.
The production is particularly impressive here as it gives the percussion and vocals a sharp clarity that feels both modern and powerful.
That said, it’s not too overpowering either, it just has a few moments of intensity rising and falling in ways that keep you hooked and through your paces.
There is a clear balance throughout the song, so I feel like you could listen anywhere, whether through a speaker at home, through your car bluetooth or through headphones, it has this versatility about it that just flows, almost quite casually.
The things I loved most were the twangs at the beginning, the euphoric hits in and out throughout the track and good use of an high special effect on the vocals, it all polishes together nicely.
Next up was “Charm Offensive” remixed by 40hurtz…
There was alot to take in here, having listened to the original too, it’s flipped it into something heavier and quite hard-hitting.
Right from the beginning, it’s bold, and it’s like there’s thick layers of low-end energy anchoring the track, giving room for more sharper elements cut through seamlessly, giving a bit of a “push-pull” type effect when it comes to the different tempos and effects throughout the track.
I find it’s very easy for a remixed version of a track to fall into a trap of flattening everything together, this doesn’t do that – instead, it alternates between dense, heavy passages, with the odd moment of relief where it opens up a bit.
This keeps a good contrast throughout and elevates the heavier sections even more.
As a reinterpretation, it’s a good one, it’s gritty, uncompromising and appears to take the word offensive in the title and runs with it – it’s catchy, confrontational and intense but in a brilliant way.
Following that is “All Is Moderate” – remixed by Andy Unscene’s Not Herd.
This song oozes atmosphere – it feels like it’s stretched the original and put more layers into it, more depth into a different direction, the original had more of a steady groove, I imagine the remix version is what space feels like? I know that sounds weird but bare with me here.
I just feel like I could kind of float around in no gravity with this haha, the mix is intense but it has this slow build and it draws you in with every note gradually, which is a nice switch up.
That said, it’s what makes it stand out, there is attention to detail with the subtle shifts in rhythm and tempo, rather than going full pelt, it plays with different moods and this evolved the track massively, it’s almost hypnotic.
As a remix, it’s in a whole new lane, it’s not overpowering the original, but instead reframes it with a little bit of restraint and different detail, bringing out it’s reflective qualities, offering a contrast to the harder, more immediate takes of the track, but still stands as a distinct reinterpretation.
Next up we have “Drops” a remix by Paddy Mulcahy…
The best way to describe this, is probably a slow-burner, building up into a big atmosphere, but it’s like everything is suspended in liquid light, classical but trippy, there’s some really delicate piano phases that wash over this subtle electronic feel and I think this kicks the remix up a notch.
At times, it quite melancholic, smooth and almost meditative, like look out the windo and watch the rain trickle down a window while the world goes by sort of scene, but different, it feels like it has a lot of hold back, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it gave me space to kind of drift and think a little bit.
It doesn’t force anything either, it kind of leaves you in suspense but also to a bit of your imagination and this really carries the remix up a few levels – it’s not fighting for attention, it invites it.
The pace is brilliant, it keeps you guessing but also gives a real good space to breathe and it’s not following any particular movement, this is probably my favourite off the EP.
Following that is “Thoughts” a God Knows v MuRli remix…
After a more chilled out vibe with “Drops”, this is totally different.
It’s definitely a different energy, it’s immediately alive and has this sharpness about it, saying “I’m here and I’m alive.” The verses interlocking in this back-and-forth rhythm, it’s like a free-flowing conversation more than a performance, but that’s alright, it makes it flow really well.
The beat underneath is lean and thrusts it forward, without overpowering the vocals, it’s the kind of remix that thrives on intensity, and just continuously pulls you in and keeps you engaged.
There’s a raw honesty here—whether in the tone of the delivery or the subject matter, you feel the words cutting through, unpolished and intentional.
It’s worlds apart from the likes of “Drops” and it’s not negative, “Drops” is chilled, soothing and got a really different dynamic, where as “Thoughts” feels confrontational, big and bold, but in the best way – It’s music made to be heard live, where as “Drops” is better suited on a speaker or in headphones, but to be fair, it depends mood you’re in and what you vibe with.
And finally, it’s “I Heard”…
It’s opens with a real warmth, it already feels familiar, not as in the music as such, but in the feeling, like you step into a room where the mood, the setting and everything is just right.
It’s quite soulful I think, more so in the instrumental undercurrent, but it also passes through the vocals and it really rings in your ear, but in the way you want to put it on again.
I’m not sure how, but “I Heard” has perfectly balanced with intimacy whilst also feeling like it was filling the entire mind, it was weird, and the lyrics felt like whispered confessions, it’s perfectly bonkers but brilliant.
That said, there is ALOT of emotional directness, the remix doesn’t try to rely on really heavy production or make anything overly complicated. There is alot of clarity and feeling, and it leaves you with the sense of feeling like you’re connected to the track both on a personal and universal level.
Overall, it was an interesting direction for Sweets to take their EP, assortment is the perfect title for it as it is quite literally a mixed bag of everything – some high-energy, some mellow, some inbetween and the producers used have turned the tracks into something fresh.
FIND SWEETS ON INSTAGRAM AND ONLINE
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