Anteros – When We Land

Some bands almost appear to sneak in, shuffle about and stare nervously at their shoes for a bit when it comes to debut album time. Not Anteros though. The band named after the Greek god for requited love have, in ‘When We Land’, delivered a record so bold and confident that it sees them kick the door in, stride in and stare you right in the eyes.

When ‘Call Your Mother’ opens in its full-on Blondie-esque pomp, it heralds an album about life in your twenties, those last few years before you have to decide whether to stick or twist. Swirls of synths surround Laura’s distinctive vocals, but it is the bass of Joshua Rumble that drives them into a world of gloriously paced upbeat bops.

With an uncanny ear for a killer chorus, the likes of single ‘Drive On’ and ‘Ring Ring’ will be indie club staples for years to come. ‘Breakfast’ is just one giant banger with no room on the plate for anything else, while ‘Wrong Side’ and ‘Fool Moon’ should come pre-packaged with your best dancing shoes. Unafraid to lower the tempo, the soulful ‘Let It Out’ sees Laura pull off the big emotional heartbeat of the record when all the glitz and the glamour have faded.

Paying homage to their inspirations, yet still sounding utterly like themselves, this is the moment Anteros, and us, have been waiting for. It is the record of a band elbowing their way to the front of the queue, asking their competition “what else have you got?” Time to fall in love.

Jamie MacMillan