Strangers

You and I

Doncaster, where this four minutesworth was recorded, doesn't shine too radiantly in pop and rock history, even if it was the pitch for the Sex Pistols' first northern foray. So it would be good if 'You & I' sounded like the real thing rather than just looking like it. Image yeah, delivery naah is the scoreline on this encounter – but the guys have been around a year or two and know it doesn't happen every time. And they've certainly got their graphics sorted out.

John Hepworth

The Hidden Revolution

Nightmares

Usually when a band describe themselves as “experimental” or “progressive”, typical protocol would be to run screaming to the hills, never to look back. Happily, there's no call for such drastic measures with these Manc lads for whom this single's title offers no indication as to what might be in store for the listener. The expansive melodies of title track, 'Nightmares', summon echoes of Keane and linger long after the track ends, whilst 'Conscience' is a more straightforward rawk affair leaving a sharp aftertaste of Muse but mercifully with none of the asthmatic howling of the latter. A 'Nightmare' not to be avoided then…

Gemma Winks

SomaHigh

Lo Fat

SomaHigh instantly makes me say “not another Indie/Rock band with the same old sound,” yet I find that each song has a lot more substance than I initially thought. Each track reaches peaks throughout with strong vocals and music that complement each other perfectly. The 'Lo Fat' single has a mature sound with a slight resemblance to Primal Scream, yet replicates the sounds of currently successful American rock bands. My only issue is that the essence of each song's story may be lost within the music.

Emma Crichton

The Unstoppable Team

Get Back

Shades of long-forgotten Manchester rap-rock stalwarts the Dust Junkys come to the fore in this debut single from a band whose employment of an MC arouses interest. 'Get Back' is a perky number built around a determined funk element and an assured chorus. It's no masterpiece, but the band's confident gang-mentality is apparent throughout, and a liberating middle-8 is symptomatic of a promising songwriting ability. Typically Mancunian in it's self-belief, it suffers from a handful of ghetto-friendly lyrical cliches (one reviewer cited Plan B, not without reason), but it garners points for it's potential to rouse, and it's anthemic, soaring guitars. By all accounts responsible for some semi-infamous live performances, they're not the artiest proposition the city has ever offered up, but an energetic, animated one nonetheless.

David Lichfield

Deltasound

Dust Can Explode

The opening song to this single has an uplifting beat that draws you into the track but could benefit from its introduction being shorter. The melody in track one is bland to say the least; the chorus, however, provides what the verses lack: interest. The music itself is your typical indie fare, creating a sound which has been done many times before. The vocals themselves are strained, particularly on track two, yet this is ironically what gives the band their distinctive edge and sound in comparison to their peers. Overall the sounds contained in this single are from a band whose musical collaboration forms a very tight sound reflecting the two years in which the band has been together, but just not enough originality.

Emma Crichton

No Pretence

Self Harmonic

When I first saw the CD sleeve, I thought I was in for a corny version of 'Guns and Roses'. They do say looks can be deceiving, and here is an occasion where this is the case. Whereas the artwork looked like an Axel rip off, the sound was far far away from anything that left his mouth. Instead I was introduced to a sound that was not unlike 'Cyprus Hill', which is something I haven't heard since… I last listened to 'Cyprus Hill'. It was a surprise, and a very pleasant one, which is honestly rare when it comes to reviewing local talent. Debut single, 'Self Harmonic', has a constant percussive beat and keys that vibrate their way through your ears and down to your toes. The rhymes are catchy and simple, occasionally a little obvious but overall hold their ground in a sound that sends you into an inevitable trance. It is the chorus however that really makes this track stand out. It's simple but memorable, catchy but dangerous, and rough around the edges. In a word, it's 'Good'. This is not a band I would go out of my way to see, and it certainly won't be to everyone's taste. Yet you certainly find it hard to hate, and if I don't hate something then I tend to like it. So bravo boys and keep on spinning those tracks.

Matt Turner

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