neptune blood drops debut EP

Coming out of Ireland’s music scene, newcomers neptune blood are a band that’s arrived with a sound that feels at once nostalgic and thoroughly new. Hailing from Limerick City, the four-piece features the talents of Ronan Mitchell, Manolis Pates, Shane Serrano and Damien Moore, who bring a wealth of experience to their new project, having cut their teeth in some of the city’s most beloved bands including Fox Jaw and The Hip Neck Blues Collective.

Under the neptune blood banner, they channel that collective history into an exciting form of alternative indie that blends impact, melody and musicianship flair. The band found their footing at Wanderland Recording Studio, right in the heart of Limerick, where they linked up with acclaimed producer Ben Wanders, known for his work with Kneecap, The Scratch and Kingfishr.

The collaboration proved a natural fit, a shared creative wavelength between creatives who know how to balance energy with slick production. From there, neptune blood began shaping a sound that’s heavy with atmosphere but charmingly human, where industrial psychedelia collides with indie rock energy and compelling emotional intensity. In March, they unveiled their original sound with their debut single “Midnight Showing,” which they followed up with singles two and three.

Now they bring us the perfect snapshot of their musical output with their brand new debut EP titled A Quiet Riot Inside. The four-track release collects the singles that first drew attention, “Midnight Showing,” “Best Laid Plans” and “In Calico,” while expanding with an additional track that reveals just how much range there is to neptune blood’s creative world.

Kicked off with their debut outing “Midnight Showing,” the EP starts with the twang of lightly gritty guitar notes as the punch of drums enters, pattering with a subtly galloping pace before the arrangement dips back to make space for smooth vocal lines which drift above the steady stabs of bass. Dashes of warbling organ texture and rising guitar elements, the track surges into lively moments of swelling instrumentation, resulting in an anthemic indie rock anthem capped by instantly memorable vocal leads and wrapped in immersive atmosphere.

On “Best Laid Plans,” the band glides into more experimental areas, injecting a hazy psych aesthetic that rolls with the pulse of marching rhythms. The laid back swagger of the vocal leads and mellow groove of bass is tinged with intricate guitar flashes before the song sweeps into a wholly absorbing scene of warm backing vocals and commanding leads to deliver a slick alternative jam.

“In Calico” bursts to life with charging drums, soaring lead guitar notes and jumpy rhythmic backing, setting up a bouncy indie experience cut with infectious vocal hooks and a deft balance between chiming instrumental elements, bright brass lines and the drive of uptempo energy throughout. It’s a superb showcase of the band’s pop-inflected songwriting and creativity, offering a catchy and invigorating moment on the EP.

Closing the release with the new song “Huge If True,” the hurried shuffle of muted percussion, filtered instrumentation and vocals shifts with with the full arrangement of crisp drum beats, smokey guitar notes and colourful brass elements. The perfect display of their highly unique sound, the song develops with buzzy synth tones and processed vocals to serve up a gripping finale and conclude their sensational debut EP in spectacular fashion.

Listen to A Quiet Riot Inside below