With shining aesthetics reminiscent of a cross-pollination of the dustiest of space rock and the most life-affirmingly introspective of Britpop, the track pleasingly betrays the Darlington group’s influences while flying skyward.
With a vocal lilt that could be accredited to Richard Ashcroft or a Gallagher brother, the band have an immediate in up their sleeves. This is boosted by the Frusciantean gleam of the rocketing guitar lines which come in behind the choruses packing an intergalactic lift. Lyrically, the formula is simple and the vocal approach is spacious, letting the music breathe and speak for itself.
Perhaps the finest triumph is reserved for the bridge prior to the final refrain, a gloriously picked firework of clean, mellow guitar. Taking a band name that instantly evokes the warmth, vulnerability and mellifluousness of Nick Drake’s swan song is a risk, but the boys get some way to justifying that with this material. If in hock to its idols, it sounds excellent with it.
You can listen to ‘By My Side’ now on all major streaming platforms.
