Pure Love – Anthems

Frank Carter combines his newly discovered soulful vocals with the chiming guitar of Jim Carroll for an album of anthemic tunes that is 100 percent festival-proof.  Between them, the duo has impressive backgrounds in hardcore music, but both wanted to branch out and do something different.

Their debut album Anthems is an offering with no frills or unnecessary cleverness, and is nothing short of impressive. It’s an unambiguous collection of songs that couldn’t be more different from their musical roots.

Riot Song is a track with euphoric hooks that showcases the pair’s magnificent songwriting. The bittersweet lyrics, obtrusive drumming and Carter’s cocky-yet-fragile vocals are welcomingly familiar.

The track Beach of Diamonds is a head-spinning reminder of the raw power of guitar strings and vocal cords. It’s a perfectly studied exercise in heavy, melodic song writing. The rest of the record offers more pulverising beauty; drilling riffs and lyrics stick to the melodies like glue. It’s outrageously expansive, immediately accessible yet awe-inspiringly complex.

Unlike many bands, Pure Love offers an escape route, the chance to feel part of something important. This album proves their willingness to branch out and develop, but it’s their ability to provoke and revitalise their followers that makes them so important.

Anthems is worlds apart from the music the pair have previously created. “Playing hardcore on tour becomes really punishing”, says Carroll. Carter puts it this way: “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, but I’m not an angry kid anymore”.

Despite the duo’s much-welcomed experimentation, you still feel the best is yet to come from this riveting guitar-rock band. For now, however, Pure Love has left us with a debut album to get irretrievably lost in.

Naomi Couper

Anthems is released on 4^th February 2013. For further information or to order the album visit Pure Love’s website here.

Watch the video for Beach of Diamonds here: