Overpass - Dependent EP

There's something beautifully uncynical about what overpass are doing. While half their indie contemporaries are busy trying to convince us they've invented a new genre (spoiler: they haven't), these Birmingham upstarts are out here crafting properly massive tunes with all the unpretentious charm of your mate's first band – if that band happened to be really, really good.

The title-track opens proceedings with classic indie rock swagger, building from contemplative verses into the kind of chorus that begs to be bellowed back. It's arena-ready without feeling calculated - a delicate balance that overpass navigate with increasing confidence. 'Slow' reveals a different side to the band - a sweeping ballad that demonstrates their growing songwriting range.

The EP's crown jewel arrives bang in the middle with 'Like No Other', a properly infectious indie bop with hooks sharp enough to snag even the most casual listener. The interplay between Max Newy's distinctive vocals and Elliot Rawlings' guitar work here shows just how far they've come.

'Be Good To Yourself' tackles modern anxieties with a deft touch, while closing 'Take It Or Leave It' is endearing in its straightforward indie approach. It's as if Overpass are saying they know exactly who they are, and they're comfortable with it.

'Dependent' shows a band hitting their stride; there's enough evidence here to suggest overpass have the potential to join the ranks of those arena-filling bands they so clearly admire. For now, they occupy that sweet spot between ambition and authenticity - and sometimes, that's exactly where the magic happens.