The Brink is the second album from Australian band The Jezabels. While the band has named their style “intensindie,” they can be described by the more common terms of alternative rock, disco pop, or just indie. Fronted by powerful vocalist Hayley Mary, the band offers ten tracks with pulsing rhythms and a definite 80s vibe. A dense wall of sound created by guitar, synthesizer, and repetitive drums often falls short of making it past a slow build. Most songs feel like they’re missing something, however hard it is to figure out what that something is. That’s not to say that after a few listens the tunes and their cryptic lyrics won’t get stuck in your head. Overall this is not an exciting album, but one that is pleasant enough. The title track, “Look of Love,” and “The End” are highlights.
[rating:3]
– Nancy Saunders