This video for Mass Manipulation from the forthcoming A_New_Normal is shot unflinchingly in black and white. Both the visuals and their accompanying sounds were created and honed in London, the band’s Camden base serving them well. Although effectively a two piece, other videos on their channel show NED to include up to another two individuals (on bass and second guitar), though the band’s core remains.
Striking not only for its stark imagery, the song is more mantra than top 20 smash. The band are keen to let their political leanings and ideologies be known, and this is particularly so with the themes they perpetuate. Calls are made for society to wake up, statements made that we are fighting blindly with nothing. By no means untrue, certainly, though hard to put across without sounding like a broken record.
Luckily, NED have elected to use both correct language and welcoming instrumentation. The vocals (principally delivered by guitarist Vaughan) are far from an opaque, belligerent shout, but are more angled towards an informative conversation. As the band ramp up the track, it’s the intensity of the delivery that builds, not the volume.
It’s comforting to see a politically motivated band trying to advise rather than instruct, and the material present, combined with their commendable DIY ethic makes for enjoyable listening. Delving into other tracks from the album (available on bandcamp) reveal a blend of Oi, early Clash, delicate acoustic strumming and a truly gentle side to that very London voice.
Top, and with a lot more to give in the future.
Watch the video for Mass Manipulation:
Follow NED:
Bandcamp: nedhq.bandcamp.com