Music Week's Ben Homewood on Value Void's Back In The Day

The three members of Value Void have been lighting up DIY London punk for years now, as members of more bands than you suspect even they can keep track of. Los Cripis, Major Malfunction and Cop are three of the best. But with this recently-formed trio, singer and guitarist Paz Maddio, drummer Marta Zabala, and bassist Luke Tristram have hit upon something very special. In May, Value Void announced their signing to Tough Love (Girls Names, Ulrika Spacek) and dropped an introductory single, Back In The Day. It’s a wonderful three-minute composition, largely because it juxtaposes a blissed-out melody with a distinct feeling of dread. Call it relationship nostalgia, maybe. Maddio’s revolving, needly guitar riff is the chief architect, combining with Tristram’s bass and Zabala’s quietly crashing percussion. The chorus delivers a pay-off, but you can’t shake the sense of imminent combustion. Happily, Value Void’s debut LP is coming, characterised by simplicity and the bond between the three players. Watch out for it later this summer, who knows, it may shine a light on one of the best corner’s of the capital’s music community...

Ben Homewood
Music Week

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