Some songs take time to find their moment. Cat Ryan’s ‘Free From This’, a long-standing live favourite, has finally made it to record and, boy, has the wait served it well. The Newcastle four-piece bottle the electricity of summer indie-pop without mistaking guitars for empty sunshine.
Angular, surf-tinged riffs skip along over a tight rhythm section, while the vocal hook gives the track an instant lift. It is punchy and likeable, but there is a reflective pull beneath the surface that stops it from feeling disposable. There is enough warmth here to make it feel familiar, yet enough energy to keep it sounding fresh.
The guitars weave around each other without becoming overbearing, while the rhythm section gives the song a steady, propulsive drive. It feels built for a packed venue, with a chorus that should have audiences singing along before long.
‘Free From This’ sounds both lived-in and freshly energised: an infectiously confident reminder of why Cat Ryan matter.
You can listen to ‘Free From This’ now on all major streaming platforms.
