Is ‘Becoming A Man’ a nostalgic record? Perhaps. Grittiness and guitar fervour are certainly returning to popular culture in full force, and that’s where The Dorado Experiment seek to capitalise on their musical journey. Guided by hypnotic, sultry vocals that strike a balance between the tones of Eddie Vedder and Jimmy Page, the record delivers riffs that feel familiar, yet also fresh and energetic. This is an album that doesn’t reinvent the wheel; instead, it perfects it. It is also not devoid of musician-coded easter eggs: the odd-time signature bits in ‘Tool’ showcase the group’s enhanced musicianship.
Hailing from the New Zealand city of Whakatū Nelson, The Dorado Experiment has set out to strike a balance between the energy of their live performances and a more polished, studio-based classic rock allure. ‘Becoming A Man’ largely reflects that, with a clean, controlled mix and minimal arrangements; you won’t find modern production tropes or additional electronic elements. Everything is kept as authentic as possible.
Delving deeper into the creative ethos that propels ‘Becoming A Man’, The Dorado Experiment explains: “It captures the themes that sit at the centre of the group’s creative vision. The album explores growth, self-discovery, challenge, and transformation through a collection of songs that balance structured songwriting with the spirit of exploration that defines our live shows.” The result is a fizzy, fiery stream of gritty rock goodness and relatable songwriting. What more could you wish for?
Recommended! Discover ‘Becoming A Man’ now: