‘Beauty’ marks a change in direction for the alternative rock band Dutch Mustard, but risk losing their edge in the process.

Dutch Mustard earned themselves notable recognition with the release of their EP ‘Interpretation of Depersonalisation’ last year, with accreditations including The Iguana himself; Iggy Pop. Their distinctive sound, which skillfully navigated the delicate balance between the raw intensity of heavy rock and the lovely, dreamlike vocals similar to shoegaze bands such as Cocteau Twins drew attention to the band. Their latest EP ‘Beauty’, continues to weave emotionally resonating lyrics and lucid storytelling, albeit with a notable shift towards the more mainstream territories of dream pop and dream rock, resulting in a somewhat more predictable sound that tends to feel a little too safe. 

The spirit of experimentation and sonic evolution serves as a testament to a band’s resilience, reflecting their capacity to adapt to external influences. Within this EP, a deep dive into introspection and tongue-in-cheek lyricism is a prevailing theme, marked by its compelling and frequently cathartic emotions, particularly in ‘Feel Everything’, which is a perfect teary bath track. However, this exploration possesses a certain indifference to the potential loss of the exuberant and vibrant energy that was a defining feature of their previous tracks, which raises the question as to whether such a transformation is a positive trajectory. 

In contrast to ‘An Interpretation of Depersonalisation’, where each track exuded a distinct character, ‘Beauty’, while successfully cultivating a dreamlike ambience, occasionally lacks that level of individuality. The EP’s standout tracks, ‘Beauty’ and ‘Wake Up’, undoubtedly shine due to their heavy, energetic beat and thrashing riffs, while ‘Dirty Queen’ showcases textured and intricate guitar solos. Nevertheless, the overdriven sound, which was a potent element in their previous EP, remains the hallmark of Dutch Mustard’s sound and unfortunately, this EP didn’t contain enough of it. 

Sonically, ‘Beauty’ emits a notable degree of accessibility, thanks to its move towards pop and distilling of other genres that makes it resonate with a broader spectrum of listeners. The undercurrent of melancholy infuses each track with emotional depth. However, for an alternative rock band, a genre traditionally celebrated for its appetite for more off-kilter forms of experimentation, and for a band with the potential to execute this, as has been proven previously to craft dynamic compositions, it’s not unjust to suggest that there exists untapped potential.