Review: Tension Splash

Up next is AB Said, the brand new single from Tension Splash, and it’s a brilliantly unhinged nod to the golden age of 90s grunge, rock and big, fearless songwriting.

The track begins in deceptively calm fashion, driven by a solid, understated beat that lets the guitar and bass weave around each other with real intent. The vocal sits perfectly in the mix, soulful and expressive in a way that Shannon Hoon would have smiled knowingly at. There’s restraint here, confidence too, as the band allow the song to breathe before throwing the first curveball.

That curveball comes in the form of an almost poetic, spoken-word section, delivered with a guttural, laid-back cool. It’s chilled, hypnotic and just off-kilter enough to keep you guessing. Then, without warning, all hell breaks loose. The drums detonate, distorted guitars tear through the calm and the song threatens to spiral into chaos before snapping perfectly back into place.

What follows is an epic, groove-laden surge that hits harder than you expect. The vocal glides effortlessly over the weight of the track, chain-smoking its way through the melody with that perfect “60-a-day” rasp. The quiet-loud dynamic is nailed here, powerful without ever feeling clichéd or forced. It’s raw, but it’s controlled.

There’s a fascinating collision of influences at play – imagine a grunge-era Jim Morrison fronting The Screaming Trees while Tad pummel away behind him. The song is packed with ideas and contradictions, and somehow they all work. The bass and drum breakdown alone is worth the listen, a moment of chaotically beautiful tension that underlines just how tight this band really are.

Punk in attitude, grunge in emotion and something far broader in ambition, AB Said is a bold, thrilling release that demands repeat listens. Tension Splash don’t just release songs like this – they detonate them. Consider this tension well and truly splashed.