The 90s were both crap and amazing. Crap because I couldn't quite work out a sense of style that flattered me and chose a haircut that in retrospect I now realise made me look like I was auditioning for the role of Friar Tuck in a community village production of Robin Hood. Add to that my fear of contact lenses which meant wearing geek glasses years before they came back in trend and I was hardly a prize catch. Thank god the millenium rolled around and I became the stunning specimen I am today :P The 90s, however, were also amazing for the redefinition of Brit-pop. Blur, Oasis, Symposium, The Las, Pulp et al, dominated the charts with their fuzzy guitar drenched tunes that felt fresh, innovative and progressive. And just as the synth sound of the 80s has influenced the recent EDM craze, there seems to be a growing appreciation for the erudite melodies of 90s indie-pop that is inspiring a growing number of upcoming acts. Malik (the tall, dark brooding looking one) & Pettite (the one with the amazing 90s indie pop haircut & shirt!) are perhaps the best representation out there at the moment of incorporating this sound with their own vision of what indie-pop should sound like in 2013. It seems though that the duo were listening to a much broader canvas of music that just indie-pop growing up - their EP is awash in rock n roll, motown and modern rock elements. Their own youthful exuberance shines through on the music with brash vibrant tunes; allowing their individual personalities to make the songs unique to the fellas themselves. Don't just take my word for it - listen to & pre-order the music at their website & read on for thoughts on the actual songs...
- No More Love ~ Jangly, energetic guitars bring to mind my beloved The Upper Room (who flirted with chart success about 8 years ago) on this wistful tale of spurned love and the loneliness it can cause when you are surrounded by so familiar memories. There is a folksy atmosphere to the track and the boys harmonise beautifully - bringing their poetic lyrics to life for anyone who has ever been dumped.
- Only You ~ what becomes evident as you listen to the EP is that the magic the chaps undoubtedly bring to the live performances is in vivid focus in their studio recordings. There is an organic feel to the tunes making them feel even more intimate. You catch yourself glancing around to see that they aren't actually in the room with you on each listen. Only You also accentuates their ability to produce a soaring melody & chorus refrain that will stick in your head all the live long day...
- Victoria ~ Unlike the song named after her, Victoria turns out to be not a very nice person; a bit of a heartbreaker. Girls today, eh? She has obviously cock-teased her way into the affections of our intrepid heroes and then ditched them like a previous model iPhone come iPhone 5S launch day. Still it's hard to stay mad at the little vixen when she has inspired such an engaging guitar riff that sets the peppy pace to this buoyant tune.
- Rise Up ~ the current single (and deservedly so) leaves the EP finishing on a sonic high that will leave you ever such a little giddy for more. It's exactly the sort of song that will blow the stale cobwebs away from the current charts and inject it with a bit of life, giving it a good kick up the arse. The syncopated percussion, the rollicking guitar strumming, the rousing vocals all coalesce to ensure that this song remains their signature calling card and something very special indeed.
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