While the five-piece released their atmospheric rock song early in 2015, their first short album Put the Nightmares to Bed has been over a year in the making as the band has aimed high with the three-track product.
And it has been worth the wait, as they’ve delivered on quality, even if none of the tracks meet the high standard set by Journey Ends .
The EP starts with the rousing Small Town Syndrome , which is the stand-out track as the hard- hitting, flat-out song is what Bitter Sweet Hearts do best. It is followed by Big Ass Dreamers, which draws you in from the opening chord, and builds up into another great rock track.
The concluding track, Never Follow , is somewhat slower and isn’t as enjoyable, although the faster elements improve it.
The music, by guitarist Jack Bell, bass guitarist James Grant and drummer Cameron Bruce, is on point throughout, and the intermingling of Chris Armstrong’s husky, deep voice with Samantha Lavery’s strikingly stunning high-pitched vocals is a masterstroke.
Hats off too to songwriters Chris and Jack, as their lyrics are top class with strong messages in all of them, whether it be the notorious rumour mills in small places ( Small Town Syndrome ), the importance of having aspirations ( Big Ass Dreamers ) or the need to exclude things from your life that don’t make you happy ( Never Follow ).
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