Irish psych-shoegaze artist First Class Rebel makes a striking statement with “Eleven Eleven,” the focus track from his debut EP Leave Your Thoughts Behind. Opening with heavily reverbed guitar notes that seem to drift in from a distant horizon, the track quickly establishes an atmosphere of tension and anticipation before erupting into a wall of sound that rarely relents.
Built on crashing guitars, layered distortion, and a sense of unstoppable momentum, “Eleven Eleven” occupies the sweet spot between shoegaze immersion and psych-rock urgency. The production is dense yet purposeful, allowing waves of guitar noise to swell and recede without ever overwhelming the song’s melodic core. There is a constant feeling of forward motion, as if the track is hurtling towards an inevitable emotional release.
“Eleven Eleven” captures the breaking point that follows repeated disappointment. Rather than dwelling in resignation, the song transforms frustration into something cathartic and energised. Its hypnotic repetition reinforces the emotional weight of the narrative, while the explosive choruses provide moments of genuine release amid the distortion soaked haze.
There are clear echoes of The Jesus and Mary Chain and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in the track’s combination of melodic instinct and raw power, but First Class Rebel avoids mere imitation. Instead, “Eleven Eleven” channels those influences into a sound that feels contemporary, personal, and deeply felt. The towering guitars and relentless drive serve the song’s emotional core rather than simply acting as stylistic markers.
As the standout moment on Leave Your Thoughts Behind, “Eleven Eleven” demonstrates an artist with a firm grasp of atmosphere, dynamics, and emotional intensity. It is a compelling introduction to First Class Rebel’s world, one where beauty and noise collide, and where moments of personal collapse are transformed into something powerful, immersive, and impossible to ignore.
“Eleven Eleven” doesnt get and eleven but does get an 8 out of 10
Debut EP Leave Your Thoughts Behind out now!
Reviewer – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic