Under Your Teeth, the latest EP from Suffolk-based five-piece Fortunato, is a collection of classic basement indie rock, with a unique charm. With vibes similar to that of Wolf Alice, Fortunato provide an interesting sound that is phenomenally well-received in the Bury St. Edmunds music scene. Consisting of four tracks and coming in at around sixteen minutes long, the EP is relatively short, but each track feels complete and mastered.
As a band that have evolved through genres from garage to punk, pop-rock to indie, their wealth of experience and exploration have culminated in a wide, varied sound in Under Your Teeth. With drawling guitars, seductive vocals and crashing drums, the individual talents of the musicians culminate in an elegant, fluid, but alluringly gritty sound. The first track of the EP, ‘Utopia,’ opens with a bubbly, electronic intro reminiscent of the band’s older, poppier sound. Most notable in the opening track is the impressive solo from lead guitarist Joe Gardner, paving the way for the promising talent to be displayed in the rest of the EP.
Kim Jarvis’ distinctive vocals drive the tracks, backed by a cacophony of strong instrumental talent by the rest of the band. Powerful basslines run throughout the EP, and the instrumental section in ‘Clocktower’ gives the band a chance to display their unity and capacity. The cymbal-heavy percussion provided by Robin Francis give the tracks an intriguing edge, providing a new depth of sound that many bands don’t experiment with, or can’t master.
The best track on the EP, without a doubt, is the closing track ‘Follow’. With lyrics referencing the infamous death of writer Virginia Woolf, Jarvis’ emotion-filled vocals are epitomised in his gut-wrenching diction and the poetic lyrics. The prominence of cymbals at the climax of the track are combined with basslines that could make your heartbeat change rhythm, making ‘Follow’ a sensually investive song.
A promising release, Under Your Teeth really proves why Fortunato are one to watch on the alternative scene.
Words by Rachael Davis