Big Deal - Say Yes

Rating:

Say no, and you’re a proper plonker.

Big deal

Big Deal must of thought there was a higher power against them. In the time since 2013’s ‘June Gloom’ the band have seen the unprecedented high of touring with those mercurial synth-brooders Depeche Mode balanced with a stolen laptop of demos, relationships falling apart and a break-up of their very own with their previous record label. As unhinged as their two previous studio efforts were, ‘Say Yes’ finds a band with a clear point to prove.

What follows is an expansive journey through infectious guitar-pop, stemmed with a greater sense of confidence and efficiency than ever before. Banged out over a 10 day window last year, there’s a natural gelling of sounds that delivers delectable slices of grungy goodness. ‘Hold Your Fire’, ‘Avalanche’ and ‘Say Yes’ are packed with instant punch, whilst ‘Saccharine’ and ‘Kitty Pride’ sound like the lost files of golden 90s alt-rock.Even their more electronic flourishes, ‘Lux’ and ‘V.I.T.R.I.O.L’, are oozing with uncanny pop sensibilities.

Many counted them out, but Big Deal have returned with their best record to date, and one of the most enjoyable releases of the year. Say no, and you’re a proper plonker.Jamie Muir