It’s always a fantastic thing to discover bands that, despite having only embarked on their collective musical journey recently, sound like they’ve been making great music together for dozens of years. Bands like The Elephant Green are the epitome of the types of discoveries I’m talking about, especially with the release of their second single ‘Shattered Glass.’
Hailing from the South of France, this rock ‘n’ roll quartet’s sonic signature comprises lightning-hot guitars, vibrant hooks, and high-octane vocal performances. So, knowing that, you can imagine how much of a roof-blazer ‘Shattered Glass’ is. Spark-spitting, this track definitely has some fresh life to breathe into the rock scene, and yet, it is as familiar as it is refreshing. In other words, the love and admiration for The Beatles and Oasis is undeniably prevalent in The Elephant Green’s style. I’m sold, how about you?
Shattered Glass
Gritty, high-voltage guitar riffs, snappy racehorse-fast drums, and a melody that sounds like the love-child of Motley Crue and Teenage Fanclub: that’s the intro that welcomes you into the vivacious soundscape of ‘Shattered Glass.’ On the back of the bright, effervescent tempos, the vocals of Thiago Pedalino and Lucas Martinez slip into the track’s harmonies, imbuing them with the raw, laid-back edge that we’ve come to associate with Britpop.
Together, each element contributes to a supercharged maelstrom of melodic chaos, which really makes the song’s narrative pack a hefty punch. Take in lyrics like ‘I won’t lose my time on wondering why / Love would never show up / Telling this now / I’m never turning back cos there’s no time / Shattered glass is raining down tonight.’ Accompanied by soaring vocals, these lyrics convey a weighted sense of both pain and freedom. There’s also a degree of acceptance in these words that embraces the way things are, and the gravelly timbres that score the instrumentation and vocal performances complement this perfectly. At the same time, there is an undeniable air of liberation that galvanises the track’s texture, making the song more upbeat than the lyrics would suggest.
Fans of Britpop know how guitar-driven the genre is, so I was very excited to hear how The Elephant Green tackled their instrumental break. Spoiler: they didn’t disappoint. During this break, the guitar speaks the language of thunderous flash fires, injecting the track with blazing intensity. All the while, the torrential drumbeat showers this new intensity with a zest that never lets you catch your breath.
Even as you approach the song’s close, you never hear the group’s energy waver for even a second; their love of their music truly shines with a white-hot heat from start to finish. Ending with a rippling resonance and one last shriek from the guitar, ‘Shattered Glass’ stands as one of the most vividly spirited songs that I’ve heard this year!
Source: https://www.instagram.com/the_elephant_green/
ALT: Marseille-based rock band The Elephant Green pose in front of a light brown background.
The Elephant Green
The Elephant Green began with Thiago Pedalino and Lucas Martinez and was later made complete with the addition of Anselm Reed and Simon Granier. Together, they are determined to make 2025 their year, and I’m not just referring to the release of ‘Shattered Glass.’
Not even a whole month prior to this release, The Elephant Green had sent a rocket through the door of the Marseille rock scene with their debut single ‘She’s a Wildfire.’ What’s more, these hair-raising singles serve as trail markers that will lead the way to September, when the band is set to drop their highly anticipated debut album.
In the meantime, The Elephant Green maintains a vibrant social media presence, sharing their delightful renditions of iconic tracks from equally iconic artists, including The Smiths, David Bowie, and, of course, The Beatles. The only thing to rival the charm of their covers is the infectious joy and excitement that emanates from every band member.
Considering their impassioned talent and glowing enthusiasm, it’s easy to see why the group landed gigs at venues like La Maison Hantée and Le Molotov. It would be incredible to see the four perform live, so I can only imagine how fun and dynamic their upcoming album will be!
Until then, we have ‘Shattered Glass’—which is available to listen to across all major streaming platforms—to uplift our spirits!
Till next time!