Cruel

This outfit have come to my attention due to their electrifying live performances at the National Student Music Awards, but this is the first time I’ve heard ‘em on record. ‘Cruel’ shows that the band are comfortable and confident in the studio, displaying the slick sense of melody I remember from them live, and also using harmonies to good effect. ‘Never Change’ is a poppy number with anthemic ambitions – it reminded me of something Aslan might have written – while ‘Left Behind’ best balances the rock guitars with the singer’s vocal. Indeed this final track is melodically the most adventurous on the release and would have been my choice for lead track. Great chorus too. With a couple more songs like ‘Left Behind’, these guys could go places.