It’s always an interesting situation when individual musicians get together to play music, all the more so when they all come from different musical backgrounds. This is the case with Explicit, one of the latest bands in Malta to leave its imprint on the local scene with the release of its debut release, plainly titled The EP. Featuring two songs, namely Objection and Games, this release reflects both an upbeat and gentle side of the band. Opening song (and current radio single) Objections is the more paced of the two, a neutral political lament riding over a shuffled backbeat with a dash of alt-rock trim and a tentative groove. Stephanie’s vocals lend a pop feel to the song, although not all local radios seem to have tuned in to this aspect of the band’s music yet!

While mainstream exposure is considered somewhat rewarding, it isn’t quite what Explicit are mainly strongly concerned with. Using their music as a medium is perhaps more what they are about. Further proof of this is the second number featured here. An anti-war song by all means, Games delivers its message through a plaintive melody and lyrics that blend happy childhood memories against the war-inflicted bleakness of the here and now.

Admittedly, both songs paint a less than chirpy picture, but this doesn’t mean that Explicit are just a grey-day band. On the contrary, they are full of life and energy, and enjoy playing live as much as the next band! For more news of the band and their live gigs, visit www.myspace.com/explicitrockband.