REVIEW: Increased Damage – ‘Spark’

Over these last few months, emerging outfit Increased Damage, the solo project of singer and songwriter Robert Carrick, have spent much of their time exploring a multitude of diverse interests and influences. As a fan of the wider spectrum of rock music, that includes punk, alternative, emo, grunge, and indie-rock, the band have been busy crafting a distinctive direction to call its own, one that also looks to pay homage to their heroes in the process. And after plenty of self-discovery and innovation within their sound, they now deliver their eagerly-awaited debut album ‘Spark’, a record that looks to bring together all of those inspirations under one roof.

From the very start, ‘Spark’ sets itself up as a fun and lively addition to the new music scene. Brimming with these fresh and anthemic hooks from start to finish, the band are certainly looking to kick things off in vibrant style here. While they are certainly ones to wear their influences firmly on their sleeves, Increased Damage still manages to make a lasting impression with this new collection, venturing across a wide and diverse range of ideas in order to create a wildly enigmatic listening experience as often as possible.

It may be their only full-length offering to date, but ‘Spark’ manages to pack itself with plenty of adventurous spirit from beginning to end. Looking to garner a bold and dynamic style with every new track, it feels like we will be hearing a lot more about Increased Damage in the months ahead as well.