The best songs are often the ones that come unbidden. TOY PARLOUR's unique single "Dead Inside" is a fine example of that kind of magic, conceived mid-demo, on the fly, and yet oozing grace. The story is almost as remarkable as the song itself. While working on another track at Jonny's house, Rory just made up this riff, and that became the most popular track. The band hit the brakes, made a U-turn, and transformed that fleeting spark into a full-fledged song. It's that sort of happenstance that makes "Dead Inside" so alive.
TOY PARLOUR comes out of the gate with authority at the start of this release. The guitar riffs come on with playful swagger that's blustery and in-your-face, even though it feels immediate and fun, the vocals drift with an unexpected tenderness that blunts their edges somewhat while keeping them lit up. There's a charming innocence in their glee. This is not about following fashion, it's about basking in the joy of making music that they themselves love.
Consisting of members from UK faves Beach Riot and Gnarlah, both established themselves in the underground rock scene with deliciously brilliant filaments threaded through cuisines old & new. You can hear the chemistry, and their shared history lends the track a smoothness that betrays its thrown-together birth. The single is unapologetically confident, instantly infectious, and a precursor of the youthful thunder they are set to bring to the UK alt scene.
If this first cut is any indication, TOY PARLOUR is no mere side project, they're one to keep an eye on. "Dead Inside" is a moment of music at its most joyful, unforced, it's impossible not to get caught up in its irrepressible beat.