Drawing inspiration from Nicolas Cage’s classic movies, The Bare Minimum dropped their EP Uncaged on the 18th of August 2023. Uncaged is a musical journey you will wish it would’ve lasted way more because of its diversity and intensity. Let me tell you more about it.
The Bare Minimum kickstarted Uncaged with the storming fast riffs of National Treasure, a fast intense tune with a powerful punk groove, a big attitude, and rocking solos. Its raw unstoppable energy promises a killer headbanger ahead. Con Air comes next with big melodic riffs and introduces one of 90s kids’ favorite movies. It has a dense fuzzy sound that gives it a subtle psychedelic mood that’s perfectly mixed with The Bare Minimum‘s irresistible flow and catchy dynamic shifts. Bangkok Dangerous hits with a fast thrashy riff that instantly boosts the mood, it has a fast, extremely enjoyable pace within a super catchy structure with melodic hooks and unpredictable twists. The Bare Minimum cleverly steered their direction from a punk-influenced raw sound into a faster, more melodic one, while keeping on with their energy and attitude. The final track Leaving Las Vegas shows another creative side of The Bare Minimum‘s writing, it explores a new territory with a more open sound with atmospheric sounding guitars with subtle touches at the verse, deep pounding bass and drums that throw the listeners off their seats, and huge super catchy vocal melody. It has a more detailed structure with well-crafted arrangements and clever layering, it has a seamless dynamic progression that flows organically, all bonded by the shifting hooking guitar melodies. Definitely my favorite off this record, beautifully written piece.
Uncaged is such an interesting brief journey through The Bare Minimum‘s creative minds. These guys know their influences well and more importantly, they know their authentic sound and direction enough to mix them and add their character, organically creating their own sound. I will definitely be looking forward to more from The Bare Minimum, keep on rocking guys. Cheers!
