Artur U and The New City Limits, who hail from Finland, have released a record that is lively, engaging, and very memorable. The record, Holiday From Eternity, opens with “Another Day” a rollicking song which will take rock and roll fans back to the glory days of the genre, as the group plays a song that feels ready to be performed in arenas, with its expansive guitar sound and pounding drums. With a guitar hook that will become lodged in your head, and vocals which are sung by vocalist and steel guitarist Artur U along with drummer and vocalist Johanna Saarinen, the tune feels very raw and energetic, making the track a perfect opener for the record.
“On a Holiday” is next, and while it wants to have the same rock vibe as “Another Day” it doesn’t have the same colorful effect, though it’s pacing is perfect for the kind of music the band is looking to write. The guitar riffs are razor sharp and the aggressive beat is precise, making “Holiday” a step in the right direction for the band to make it big.
Lastly, we have “The Secret”; a more wispy and experimental track that explores other genres. “Secret” feels more meditative, and while the band’s sound has cooled some on this song, the track’s overall feel makes us want the energy back that we heard on the records previous tunes. “The Secret’s” only downfall is that it tries to be hard and edgy at different points throughout, making the song come across as weak and disjointed.
Holiday From Eternity has all of the makings of a successful record, though it does have some weak points. While the band is great at playing rock and roll, it would be best if they stuck with that instead of trying to incorporate other styles into their music, as they tend to lose their footing when they deviate from their roots.
