Fantasy Factory is worlds apart from Plastic Kids, and that’s not a bad thing. The Tazers are back with a bold new style, revealing a fresh side to their sound. Go on, give it a spin.
Parts of their latest offering Fantasy Factory linger in the mind long after listening. The Joburg trio’s second full-length release reveals a more mature, refined side to the band, and we are so here for it.
Fantasy Factory is a well-balanced amalgamation of genres. The band explains, “We like most good music and we aren’t tied to genres. Much of this project was inspired by Viagra Boys, Bad Nerves, Cage The Elephant, The Hives, Vulfpeck and Oh Sees.”
The diversity of influence is clear. The album is full of movement, and while these inspirations are evident, the record still sounds unmistakably like The Tazers. Their psych-rock roots remain strong on tracks like “Velvet Dream” and “Figure It Out,” while a heavy garage-rock sound permeates other songs, shining brightest on “Give It To Me” and “ADHD.”
Their garage-rock foundation is built on searing guitar work, paying homage to the genre’s roots while pushing boundaries at the same time. Distortion is used thoughtfully too, heavy when needed, but never overshadowing the melodic core of this record.
What’s most impressive though is how effortlessly the album flows from track to track. Despite the genre blending, Fantasy Factory is an easy, engaging listen. It never feels disjointed; an affirmation perhaps of the band’s control over their sound. The project’s ease of listening is part of the album’s charm, it’s always something new, but never overwhelming.
The band describes the sonic shift as a more mature perspective with a clearer direction and a bolder sound. “We basically just tried to make something that we were excited about,” they say. “It feels like a natural progression from our previous work, by refining the best elements from the past with some new bits added in.”
Love remains the heart of the album, approached from multiple angles. The alluring “Figure It Out” lays bare the dangers of moving too fast in relationships while “I Want Your Love” is a dreamy, emotionally rich ballad, and surprisingly tender for these psych-rock menaces.
The album has already amassed over 100 000 streams on Spotify, and as the band currently tour Europe, they share, “We’ve got a big homecoming show that is also our album launch at Sognage on the 28th of June. This will be your first chance to hear the new album in its entirety, live. We’ll also be announcing something for Cape Town soon, so stay tuned to our socials!”
The five-year gap between The Tazers’ full-length projects has clearly been transformative. Fantasy Factory isn’t just the sound of a band having fun—it’s the sound of a band that’s challenges themselves. And while they honour their influences, The Tazers are opening themselves up to a much wider audience. Well done boys… well done.
Photo courtesy of @iamdicksmithx
