Who's Molly - New Tomorrow

Buy the New Tomorrow EP here (UK iTunes)

I'm rather smitten with Who's Molly (and no, not just because the lead singer is a tall drink of water). They provide an effervescent mix of sprightly pop rock singalongs and pensive, reflective ballads that tug at your heart strings. They've (quite rightly) built a huge following of fans thanks to their energetic and engaging live shows and are ready to capitalise on this surge of interest with a thoroughly engaging EP of songs, titled New Tomorrow. It's a collection of music that doesn't shy away from experimenting with genres and styles, yet always with a focus on relatable lyrics and memorable melodies. The four tracks presented here on New Tomorrow will not only become the soundtrack to the memories from all your yesterdays but be your go to songs for every new tomorrow that a brand new dawn offers. The EP opens with the beguiling sounds of Touch The Sky. Bold electro-synths bring the music juddering into life; an off-kilter effect that, together with inveigling backing vocals and prominent percussion, demand that you sit up and pay attention. Karl sings with an urgent fervor of how he'd lost all hope until he was given the strength by another person to carry on - it's a compelling narrative that is matched by an intriguing vocal. Weaving around the energetic instrumental is a mellifluous guitar riff that is essential to this rallying call to arms as Karl's soaring command of the refrain. It's how the band makes these elements come together that elevate the songs to an enduring greatness. This is equally demonstrated on the title track, New Tomorrow. Continuing the theme of determination, hope and optimism, this gem is set to a more folk-infused beat that really lets the band highlight their skills as daring yet nuanced musicians. The convivial "heys" that permeate the song along with a hand-clap groove really contribute to the feeling of "all in this together", an anthem for the masses to get behind. There are always moments in history where songs like this are particularly relevant and, what with the state of the world today, this feels like Who's Molly encouraging us not to just sit back and take it but find out how we can contribute to a better future. It's not just an amazing song - it's an essential, melodic public service announcement...

Tinsel Town is up next and still as endearingly charming as when I first heard it nearly a year ago. Lyrically it's about a girl who jets off to Cal-eye-forn-ee-eh to follow her dreams, and while those dreams may not instantly come to fruition lead singer Karl sweetly sings that you don't always have to realise your dreams - pursuing them is a step in the right direction. He proves to be an engaging storyteller and while he's never less than an effusive accomplished vocalist, he manages to imbue an unspoken pathos into the story - as if the girl was the love of his life who now won't return to reclaim his heart. He's ably backed by acoustic guitar, insistent piano chords and beautifully layered harmonies during the chorus that add depth and majesty to the performance. The instrumental also manages to create it's own rhythmic swaying for the song, like the very waves lapping on those LA beaches near Tinsel Town. And who doesn't love music that feels intrinsically part of the lyrical content? It's exactly the type of song that will sound just as fresh and invigorating in twenty years time as it would have twenty years ago - timeless yet timely. It is then a natural flow into the final song of the album, Chasing Summer. While the first two songs of the EP demonstrated the uplifting nature of Who's Molly, the final two tracks tug on your heartstrings and invoke all the melancholy moments in your life that you've overcome. There's tangible regret in Karl's voice as he sings of a love lost and you feel every emotion alongside him. The middle 8 crescendos into a satisfying wall of sound that feels like a cathartic release. He sings not because it will make things right, but because it's too painful not to let all these feelings out. Exquisitely constructed and beautifully delivered, it's a lovely languorous end to the EP - and one that certainly leaves you yearning for more...

Who's Molly you may ask - it's the band who's soon to be on everyone's lips.