Be My Reactor. EUT

Amsterdam band EUT has released its third album, as a sign how time flew by during and after the pandemic. EUT manoeuvres itself, once again, brilliantly between pop and alternative. 2018 brought 'Fool For The Vibe, 2021 'Party Time' and here is Be My Reactor.

The album opens with the oh so nice 'Step By Step'. The track opens with a suggestion of dance but when the guitar kicks in, supported by the drums, EUT is in alternative rock territory, to move into the very danceable chorus, blending the two.

In the next song, 'Stoner', the 80s are all over the place. (Like the singer is on the cover with the 1980's Volvo.) Old sounding synths and guitar riffs give 'Stoner' a feel from long ago, like a Simple Minds record from the time. At the same time the sound is modern, full and warm. Megan de Klerk manages to draw extra attention to herself, despite that warmth and broad arrangement behind her.

There's no time for a pause, as 'Can't Stop Me' is already upon me. The intro suggests a party track but it is not. EUT has moved beyond the senseless partying with abandon and after us the deluge. This band knows exactly what it wants to achieve. It takes the elements from party tracks to build its own universe and things rock there as well. Perhaps there are two factions in the band? Whatever it is, they blend superbly. Just listen how 'San Francisco' blends the two. EUT is playing and is playing with serious fun here.

The other face of EUT is the alternative kind of ballads it plays ('This Could Be The Last Time e.g.). De Klerk is in danger here of sounding a bit like a whine. She manages to steer clear from it by using different shades of her voice and harmonising with herself. The contrast with the loud party track 'Please Don't Look At Me' and shows another way how EUT can rock.

With Be My Reactor EUT sets another great step in its career. From a good debut, to a very good second album that is expanded on in every way possible on the third album. Growth, development, focus, determination, experience, whatever you like to call it, is present in abundance on the band's latest. Slowly but surely EUT is growing into one of the better bands of this country. I still haven't seen it live. It's getting about time.

Wout de Natris

You can order Be My Reactor on EUT's website:

https://eut.bigcartel.com/