ZFeelZ — All Viewers Are Confused (2021)

A Kyiv-based band indie-rock band released its second mini album "All Viewers Are Confused". The whole palette of feelings of a young man opens up in these tracks and that’s what we’re going to review.

All news about the Kyiv band ZFellZ in the music infospace begins with the phrase: "young indie rock band". In my opinion, the mini album "All viewers are confused" is a certain "point of no return", after which it is a cliché to continue using a word "young". If in 2019, with the release of their debut EP "Waves of Shards", "there were hopes that those who will wipe the skeptics off the face of the Earth will come or, well, someone who’ll politely ask them to move"(c), and in 2021 ZFeelZ did not ask but gave them all a good kick.

ZFeelZ were formed in 2017 but talking about them began in 2019 after they successfully participated in the School Bands Battle contest and received a special prize. At that time, high school students did not miss their chance and shot a video for a song "Man", in which they raised the topic of feminism which intrigued the audience. By their release of 3-songs-long mini album "Waves of Shards", the artists finally declared themselves as a promising band that has serious plans for the future and something to say. To avoid retelling band’s biography again, I suggest reading an interview with the members інтерв'ю учасників. I would like to focus in more detail on the new mini album, the funds for which, by the way, were collected through a crowdfunding company.

Comparing it to the previous mini album "Waves of Shards", the new release sounds harder, both musically and lyrically. If the previous music work could be played at a party for people to just dance and have fun without thinking, (that release, actually, was serious, but the "seriousness" was a bit hidden behind the music) "All Viewers Are Confused" may cause a sense of bewilderment and confusion because of what is heard.

A bright cover, "indie rock" in tags, female vocals – why it cannot be party music? The song "Shame" is the answer. It narrates about the personal aware relations with religion and God. And there is also a song about fear and sexual violence here, which was saved for the final part of the release as a control shot. Still want to have fun?

At the beginning, the musicians talk to us about self-awareness. The song "Shame" is very personal – there Anya Lipatova (vocals / keyboards) tells us about her growing up and reassessment of values. Going through a certain personality transformation, the protagonist realizes that the world is much wider than some restrictions, and goes beyond limits, established by society, because it is the way to understand yourself and start living according to your own moral laws.

"All Viewers Are Confused" sounds like manifesto of a young person who has understood himself and already undergone the mentioned transformations. If we turn a blind eye to the problems – they will not disappear, cuz the world is not as gentle and pleasant as we would like it to be. Only by realizing these simple truths we can begin to live to the fullest.

"Fever" and "How It Feels To Be Alive?" sound more positive. These are the songs about making bold decisions, true love, love to life. When emotions come out, they become one with the universe. No matter how difficult it is, you need to learn to perceive yourself and the world around you, this is the only way to achieve the harmony in everything.

After these positive notes a frightening song comes, that just pours out the cold water on you and returns you to the harsh reality. On the one side, it is a continuation of the perception concept. After all, our fears are also the senses. And if we accept and realize them, they can become our strengths. On the other side, it's a scary song on an uncomfortable topic for our "positive" society, which lives in its own bubble without dropping pink glasses. The fear of becoming a victim of violence is, unfortunately, justified. It’s not a fiction of the thriller writers, it is a big problem that exists next to us.
According to the World Health Organization, one in four women and girls has been physically or sexually abused by a man or her husband all over the world. The research covers only domestic violence and does not consider the increase in cases during the pandemic.

Within 16 minutes of listening, each of us has the opportunity to become a hero of ZFeelZ songs. We live almost the entire spectrum of human emotions: from confusion to self-awareness, from peace of mind to fear. And all this to the accompaniment of loud guitars and strong rhythm section. At first listening I wanted a little more timing, but after delving into this work, it became clear that ZFeelZ preferred quality over quantity. Not many people manage to invest so much content in 5 songs and do it at such a high level.

Musically, there are no claims either. We hear an interesting alternative rock that sounds quite diverse. I would like to pay special attention to the deep bass brought to the fore, which adds some special vibe to the tracks. The beginning of the song "Fever" reminded me of the favorites of all hipsters of the 2008 model, the British band The XX.

Personally, I am very interested in watching the development and growth of the band, and if it goes on like this, it is difficult to predict what level it will lead to. At this moment, we have the powerful work, after which I can't continue writing about them as of a "young rock band" – this is a grown up quartet, which stands firmly on its feet and has something to say to the audience, and, most importantly, knows how to do it to be heard.

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ZFeelZ — an alternative / indie-rock band from Kyiv. Their debut mini album "Waves of Shards" was released in 2019. Since then they performed at various locations: ШООМ, ЮБК, Американський Дім (American House), Мистецький Арсенал (Art Arsenal) and at a few festivals — Vertuha Arts Festival, Air HoholFest, Winter Mass VII. The second EP "All Viewers Are Confused" (2021) continues their discography.

ZFeelZ in social networks:

https://www.facebook.com/zfeelzband/
https://www.instagram.com/zfeelz.band
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuJ2SwfqZvt6vdZZdprgAOg