Released: 3rd May 2019
Rating: ★★★★
Four cheeky lads from Liverpool with jangly guitars, an effervescent lead vocalist and songs that get teenagers dancing. Sure, it might not be the newest concept, but SPINN unleash a new take on the indie pop game with their debut album – event if guitarist Andy Power DOES have a haircut fitting of a Beatle.
Power’s riffs define what the band are about, with a familiar, semi-psychedelic mood and dreamy haze that has become their trademark sound. His dynamic with frontman and impish rascal, Jonny Quinn, is reminiscent of Morrissey and Marr, though perhaps without the bubbling undercurrent of discontent and quasi-UKIP views. Given their rising popularity in Japan, that’s probably for the best.
Quinn’s voice is soft and welcoming as he sings along classic motifs of love and loss, each word laced with a drop of comfort and assurance that no matter what happens it’ll work out in the end. His on-stage dance moves – if that’s what you want to call them – can almost be heard on the record. Tender moments like on ‘July, A Glance’ and closer ‘Heaven Sent’ show a more emotional side to their songwriting while recent singles and undeniable belters ‘Bliss’ and ‘Is There Something That I Missed?’ are right up there in terms of pure, quality hits.
There’s a welcome charm befitting of The Cure throughout with the sound being built from the rhythm section up, giving it stronger foundations than Kate Nash’s finest. The slightly harsher ‘Green Eyes’ feels a bit of a shock, yet highlights the potential for these boys to go on and make an almighty name for themselves.
SPINN are one of the most exciting up and coming bands out there, and their first LP shows that behind those mischievous grins is a group of young men with incredible talent who undoubtedly have what it takes to be the next big thing.
Ciaran Steward
