By Scott Hays
Newcastle’s premier art-rock shape-shifters, Polyvinyl, have never been a band to do things by halves. Their highly anticipated second EP, Where This Ends, sees the band firmly shed any lingering local indie band constraints. This is a sprawling, polished concept record that delivers a masterclass in high-octane alternative rock.
Clocking in across six well-sequenced tracks, the EP maps out a visceral emotional arc of trauma, alienation, and eventual self-discovery. It opens with a sub-one-minute instrumental that acts as a hauntingly calm prelude before the sonic storm arrives. That storm hits immediately with Snow & Ash, a towering, juggernaut of a song. It’s catchy, urgent, and perfectly showcases the band. The restless energy and the moody, driving hooks balance beautifully.
Where This Ends isn’t just a collection of songs. It is an immersive, fully realised world. Polyvinyl have taken major creative risks here, and they have paid off spectacularly.
Listen to the EP here: https://open.spotify.com/album/12Ymp6604qYIsc3D3a2jee?si=OjOGl5lLQcCq6Qpvaq9fFg
Find Polyvinyl online here: https://www.instagram.com/polyvinylband?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
