Irish indie rock band, neptune blood, has released their debut EP, “A Quiet Riot Inside.” The Limerick City-based band sure knows how to make incredible indie rock music (sometimes with a psychedelic flair), and this collection of songs is proof of that. I’ve spent some time with the record now, and I’m happy to break down each song and let listeners know which song I think is the best on the record and why.
“Midnight Showing” kicks off the EP and it is an excellent introduction song. It hits the listener hard from the moment they press play. First, a distorted guitar playing just a few catchy notes. That guitar is phoning in the rest of the band, who are waiting just behind. They come in hard with pounding drums, a heavy synth bass, and anthemic vocals. The song pumps up the energy. The whole time it feels like it’s building, giving the listener the vibe that something is about to drop. And then it does…a synth line that will keep you coming back to this song over and over again. The synth line serves as the main hook on this song. Rock the Pigeon did some digging below the surface to uncover the lyrical meanings behind the track. It’s loosely based on the 1947 Black Dhalia (Elizabeth Short) murder in Los Angeles, which still remains unsolved. This is a great track one to keep the listener hooked in enough for track two.
Already making some plans for the new year? Here’s a song that will match your mood. “Best Laid Plans” brings a psychedelic feel to the EP. The lyrics are quite psychedelic and poetic. The song is about making plans and knowing that those plans could go wrong at any moment. We have to be ready to adapt and roll with whatever comes next. The rhythm guitar parts, including their effects, are what makes the track lean psychedelic. Angelic background vocals, singing in a choir, also add some trippy vibes too. It’s a totally different vibe instrumentally and genre-wise, but the vocals on tracks one and two live in similar worlds, which helps the record flow well while keeping it interesting. One of my favorite parts of the song is the guitar solo. It’s hot, plugged into a fuzz distortion pedal. However, unlike most guitar solos we hear, there’s no reverb on the guitar. Reverb often makes guitar players, playing solos, sound better than then are because it covers up mistakes, and makes notes blend together more easily. When I realized this fact, I was definitely more impressed with the artistry of neptune blood. Now, that’s a seriously off the charts guitar player!!
“In Calico” brings an even bigger sound to the record. The horn section serves this song well, amplifying the energy, and bringing a celebratory feel. This track is about looking back and reminiscing on great memories. It’s a track to start off the New Year because it matches the feel of many people’s emotional state right now. Aren’t we all looking back on 2025? Let this song remind us to look back on the good things, remember them fondly, in calico. This song has another epic guitar solo that shreds above the track. Thus far, this is the most catchy song on the record. I think it is also the most energetic and uplifting. It’s got a feel-good energy to it that makes me think the band had a really fun time in the studio with this one. I’m sure every listener will have the same feeling!
The quick paced drums are back for “Huge If True,” a song that is experimental in nature. The drums aren’t consistent the whole time, this song takes you on a journey. There’s a breakdown section that is so contagious in melody and instrumentation. It’s hard not to go back to the beginning of the song just to hear it all unfold again. The synths take us out of the breakdown in an experimental transition. Then the song fully erupts. Vocals pulse through a vocoder, we hear electric guitars, pounding drums with a snappy snare, horns playing in unison. The band shows off all their skills at once for the finale. Personally, I would rate this song as the best song on the record because of the composition and overall feel. This is some seriously amazing songwriting.
Listen to neptune blood now:
Written by Ryan Cassata
Submit a single, here.
Submit an EP or LP, here.
Submithub Coupon. here.
Request Your Song Be Used in a TikTok or Reel, here.
The post Neptune Blood Brings Psychedelic Edge to Incredible Debut EP appeared first on ROCK THE PIGEON.