By Daffs (TwoDaff)
The Mease are Derby’s biggest followed new indie band and are set to release their explosive debut album on 23rd September 2022 following up on their EP releases to date. On a mission to put the world to rights through mega-catchy guitar tunes reminiscent of the golden era of British indie rock n roll, The Mease sound has been likened to The Coral, The Verve and early Oasis.
Consisting of Tristan Cooper (Lead vocals and Guitar), Guy Smith (Lead Guitar), Adam Goulding (Keys), Jon Wright (Drums) and Mo Hussain (Bass and percussion). The five-piece indie psych-pop rockers are BBC Introducing regulars, and are favourites on the live scene selling out Nottingham’s Rough Trade twice, headlining Birmingham’s Sunflower Lounge and will be captivating fans with a Derby Arena gig to launch their new album.
Having been around in one form or another since 2009, although not properly forming until around 2020, The Mease have released a number of notable singles including their debut ‘Carry Me Home’ and their EP ‘See The Light’. Now they are back with their latest offering. I was lucky to have had the opportunity of a pre-release listen to the album, ‘The World in High Definition, and like the title suggests its relevant to the world today, hope/despair, Love/war all wrapped up in a psychedelic, indie pop rollercoaster of an album.
Opening with ‘What We Want’, it has that rolling verve=esque swagger in the guitars, with an almost shoe gaze feel to it. The addition of Sitars add a haunting element making it atmospheric. It has a full-on early Britpop vibe and I for one like that. Crunchy guitars blister and bubble under the driving drum and bass lines and then a multitude of lead riffs and solos cut through it all making it sparkle. A crowd pleaser this and a great opener.
“Sitars add a haunting element”
Next up is the explosive ‘Postcards’, pounding drums right from the get go and a melodic intro lead us into the track. And the melodies keep coming in the form of an emotive vocal, driven by the barrage drum patterns and soaring guitars it has bags of energy and passion and this is highlighted in the spoken vocal “There’s nothing more to say, there’s nothing more to do, I’ve nothing left to lose, so what is there to choose” Great lyrics.
“Emotive vocal”
The politically charged ‘The Long Long Road’ is their latest single, and kind of represents a warning to us all, “The world’s on fire but they don’t care, just as long as they’re taking the lion’s share.” Lead guitarist Guy Smith said, “If we’re all going to perish as the planet goes up in flames, and our leaders aren’t going to do anything about it, then we might as well keep rocking all the way to the bitter end!” It Kind of sums up the band’s ethos. Again, it has that indie pop vibe, anthemic and full of melodic chirpy riffs that are uplifting despite the subject matter.
“Melodic chirpy riffs”
‘War on the TV’ says it all at the moment, yet the track itself has a nice swing to it, glorious chiming guitar riffs fill the song as the vocal describes that it doesn’t feel real. This is followed by ‘This Town’, rolling drums and explosive guitar riffs give an almost dark and ominous feel to the proceedings, yet the vocal is bright, and then there comes a real Wah infused mid-section, giving the whole thing a lift before building to pulsating crescendo.
‘A Different Kind of Heartbreak’ is guitar driven with a catchy hook, and tells the story of the heartbreak that follows you wherever you go. I get hints of the Chilli peppers in some of the riffs, nothing wrong with that. It’s a bit of an ear worm, it sort of sticks in your head. It has a more soulful vocal than some of the other tracks but it is delivered perfectly.
‘Victory Road’ is another riff laden track filled with distortion and drive, a steady pace yet packed with energy, again the guitar work is fantastic, lots of lead lines, adding an air of tension, lyrics such as the opening line “He’s got fire in his eyes and there’s petrol on his hands…what was going through his mind I will never understand” add an element of foreboding and quite dark undertones, following this there is a brief uplifting interlude with ‘High Definition’.
“Distortion and drive”
A change of vibe up next for the punk infused, ‘Masters of Deception’, stomping drums, and of course those driving guitars thrash out the message that you shouldn’t always believe in what you are told, vocally it is edgy with a more raucous guitar riffs and shrill leads it adds variety to the albums soundscape yet is in keeping with the messages enveloped within. It also showcases the bands abilities to cross genres by drawing on their influences.
Next up is the psychedelic ‘(Black and White) Shades of Blue’, reminiscent of early verve, heavy on guitar and multiple, trippy, swirling effects. It starts slowly with a dark riff before it erupts, although not fast paced, it just rolls and rumbles. The lead riffs and the vocals are strong, bright and shimmer against the rumble of the bass and steady drum pattern. This is one of my favourite tracks.
“Multiple trippy swirling effects”
The final closing track is bright little number entitled springtime, it’s an acoustic track that just lifts everything, it’s a song of hope, the vocal is fantastic, the acoustic rhythm is intertwined with numerous chiming melodies that add colour and lift the track making it sparkle. A great song to close with.
What the Mease have produced is without doubt a fantastic debut album, honest and to the point and for me one of the contenders for album of the year, so much so i have this ordered on Vinyl! Its explosive, full of sentiment and has numerous political undertones yet the messages portrayed could be interpreted in many ways. It is rammed with great guitar riffs, although influences can be heard throughout it’s a million miles away from being a ‘Copycat’ type of sound. Its an anthemic collection of riff laden tracks, with shimmering and often blistering guitars, emotive vocals and packed full of energy. If this is anything to go by, its no wonder that The Mease have such a big following…and its likely to get just that bit bigger.
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