_{By Michael Luce}

Exclusive fist look: Salt Lake-based rock quartet SoulFang was kind enough to send Provo Music Magazine an early pressing of their debut album, which releases later this month. We’re excited to give you a first look at the raucous, bluesy ride that is the aptly named Potions, Passions, Wicked Lullabies.

Like most bands in the early stages, SoulFang have seemed to struggle early on with finding their sound and primary audience. Too radio-friendly and broadly accessible for the adult-only audience, yet too adult for the general all-ages crowd, SoulFang have kind of sat in this weird spot right on the fence between identities up to this point, with each new song ping-ponging them from one side to the other.

With Passions, Potions, Wicked Lullabies though, it seems pretty clear SoulFang are done sitting on the fence and have leaned completely into modern adult hard rock. This probably isn’t what you’ll choose to play for grandma when she asks what you’ve been listening to, but then again, I don’t know your grandma. The second track, “Midnight Queen,” pulls no punches with the explicitly adult themes; the first verse alone is dripping with the tale of failed hookups, lascivious lust, and those “too busy with internet porn” to pursue other aims. It’s a considerably more direct approach to the carnal side of life than many bands take, and although it can be a bit surprising just how unabashed SoulFang is in these tracks, it doesn’t feel gratuitous.

I’m partial to the song “Rollercoaster,” but that could just be because I love rollercoasters. I appreciate all the references to thrill rides that go much deeper than simply “it’s fun to be in a relationship” or “I’m crazy.” I mean, even just reading the lyrics,

You’re used to kiddie coasters, right now I’m Six Flags / I’m Magic Mountain / Screaming and shouting / Three loops of nasty baby if you’re even counting / You want on my rollercoaster, come on take a ride /Turn you upside down and over, hang on for your life

is so much more fun than most groups care to impart in their supposedly ‘thrilling’ tracks. It reminds me of the actual wild breathlessness that I enjoy so much about real rollercoasters.

The bass work throughout the album is also excellent, and really shines through on “Sunday Afternoon,” “Made of Glass,” and “Can’t Be Saved.” With a nice and punchy tone, this firm low-end makes for a solid foundation for the rest of the band. Additionally, tracks like “Mental Laundry” really grew on me after a few listens. There’s a lot of metal, almost djent influence buried under the more bluesy top lines here, and it makes for a fun texture.

I almost hate to say it, but I think some of this album’s best tracks are the ones most people won’t ever get to hear. The vinyl version of the album comes with four exclusive acoustic tracks, and the stripped-back tones really complement lead singer Liz Seibert’s silky vocal delivery. Even though it loses all the delicious bass work of the original, “Sunday Afternoon (Acoustic)” becomes this goofy, causal, flirtatious bop that perfectly complements the playfully sensual lyrics. It goes from a sex-driven groove to a frankly adorable depiction of two people who have been through a lot and are still obsessed with each other in spite (or more likely because) of everything. I also love the piano-laced acoustic version of the opener “Wildfire.” It’s a lovely rendition and is poetically placed at the end of the bonus tracks, mirroring the full band version.

If I had to nail down my criticism with the album, it’s simply that it feels much longer than it actually is. Everything is well produced and written, but I think the tracklisting causes a lot of the songs to lose their memorability. Because the similar songs are so spread out across the album, there’s a bit of fatigue when you find yourself returning to the same sound for the fourth+ time. It’s a hard balance for even the most established of bands to find though, and I commend SoulFang on doing as well as they have in their first album.

Overall, Passions, Potion, Wicked Lullabies isn’t the most revolutionary rock album, but SoulFang have a lot to be proud of here. It’s refreshing how unabashedly it shares the intense feelings of life, and this whole album is an extremely encouraging step forward for the group.

Passions, Potions, Wicked Lullabies will be out everywhere on June 21st, 2024. You can pre-save the album on streaming services here and preorder a limited-run vinyl or CD copy on the band’s website. Be sure to follow SoulFang on Instagram and check out “Rollercoaster” below!