EP Review/ Alt : Cruel Ploy’s ‘Fear’

Cruel Ploy is an alt banner that explores the confluences of dark pop with modern electronica. The sensibilities in their music is molded by texture, rhythm, and sonic atmosphere. Their latest release is ‘Fear’, an EP that explores dimensions emerging out of the thematic umbrella. It involves stories, emotional events and dramatic bursts of music. There’s a vast stylistic range within this EP, that goes well past your predictions. Its dynamic, creative and unique in how it shapes the theme. 

The track, ‘Fear’ opens the EP. It is mellow but then is washed with cryptic electronic swashes. The vocals have a soft emo flavor to them which is elevated by glitching planes and trap beats. It is moody, and the atmosphere starts to gain weight progressively. An energy raise in the chorus with emo rock guitar, lofty vocal arrangements and dramatic drops really set the stage for the album. 

‘Faultless’ is up next. It is a melodic and explorative pop rock track that is cultivated with riffs and emo vocals. Much like its predecessor. However, it is more colorful and has more of a dispersion. It expands horizontally, the musical sensibilities and spreads out like a wildfire. The pop rock feels joyful, celebratory almost, even in this dark setting. This pop rock feel is extrapolated and opened up across the EP. We see similar moments and musical frames in ‘The Disguise’ as well. But this has poetic storytelling and vocals reminiscent of Taylor Swift’s style. The heaviness of it all is however detailed by the torrential riffs and tormented feeling. 

‘Last Time’ and ‘Learning Curve’ conclude the EP with that power pop performance. It is loud, bold and full of energy. The peaks are high and the feelings are extraordinary. They emerge from a depth and you can feel it all. ‘Last Time’ is made with an upward climbing line. There’s softness alongside heartache, emo with youth and euphoria with moments of grief. ‘Learning Curve’ has more of a reflective trajectory, a levelled rhythm that is sparked by contemplative moments of lyric and vocals. So many fresh flavours of pop featured across this collection. Definitely a must listen!

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The EP is available for streaming on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music! 

You can listen to ‘Fear’ by Cruel Ploy here -