Track Review: Sleepovers - 'Good Sides'

Sleepovers are main songwriting duo, Alfie Smith and Elliot Crabtree (formerly of indie darlings Skallywags), brothers Tom and Ed Reynolds, and drummer Ashley Hodge. The London based five-piece arrive with their first single 'Good Sides' off the debut EP 'Heartbreak High'.

The slacker rock influences are plain to see from the start as Mac DeMarco-esque electric guitars open the track. This isn't a bad thing, the pretty guitar tones set the carefree, indie vibe of the whole track. Alfie's strong, cockney vocal is introduced in the verse which contrasts well with the US-indie influenced instrumentation. The attitude in his voice is excellent, especially in the choruses where reverbed guitars sprawl around in the background to add more sonic contrasts.

Overall the production of the track is well done. The sound compliments the aesthetic of Sleepovers, but there are moments when that reverb knob could have been turned down a little. The lead guitar parts are sometimes lost in the instrumental and could have done with a little more cleanliness and bite.

The music video has been collated using front man Alfie's actual phone camera roll over the last year, charting an ended relationship and the writing/recording of the debut EP. Alfie says, ''we chose to use the camera roll idea because although there may be a few bad photos, you never capture a negative moment for Instagram if you're miserable. Only the good sides make the story".

With 'Good Side' Sleepovers have delivered a fantastic tune full of catchy hooks, infectious lyrics and sing-a-long choruses. With the anticipation growing for their debut EP, the time of Sleepovers is now.

Check out 'Good Sides' below.

Sleepovers support Average Sex at The Shacklewell Arms in London on 20/11/17. GO!

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Track Review: Average Sex - 'Ugly Strangers'

'Ugly Strangers' is the new single from indie noise-rock outfit Average Sex. 'Ugly Strangers is the first release off their debut EP 'Ice Cream', which arrives on the 1st of December through Tim Burgess' (The Charlatans) own label, OGenesis Recordings. Hailing from London, the five piece consisting of Laetitia Bocquet (vocals), Sam O'Donovan (guitar), Louise Earwaker (guitar), Jamie Graeme (bass), and Finnigan Kidd (drums), incorporate heavily distorted guitars and high tempo beats to create an edgy alternative sound not too dissimilar from 'Blue Album' era Weezer.

The track opens with clean guitar stabs before harmonised vocals are introduced and it's not long before the rest of the band kick in. The intensity of the track is instantly increased with added drums and distorted guitars. The charm of the tune comes from the production value. The rough and ready guitar tones coupled with distorted, double-tracked vocals give the track a 'Wall of Sound' feel to it, but the band equally know how to utilize dynamics, allowing the track much needed time to breath in the verses. Lyrically, the song shines. 'Ugly Strangers' is about using alcohol to escape real life problems. The choruses focus on Laetitia's efforts to bury her mental health issues before getting treatment by drinking most nights at the Victoria pub in Dalston, where the rest of the song is about life being shit, hence drinking to 'be happy'.

'Ugly Strangers' is a gem of a track leaving us wanting to hear more. We can only hope the debut EP delivers on the 1st of December. 

Listen to 'Ugly Strangers' here

Be sure to catch Average Sex on tour in the next few months.

Headline show:

20th November - The Shacklewell Arms, London

Tour (All dates supporting The Charlatans):

29th November - Rock City, Nottingham

30th November - O2 Academy, Sheffield

1st December - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

2nd December - O2 Apollo, Manchester

4th December - O2 Academy 1, Glasgow

5th December - O2 Academy 1, Newcastle

7th December, O2 Academy, Leeds

8th December - University Great Hall, Cardiff

9th December - O2 Academy Brixton, London