Hailing from the Dutch city of Rotterdam, although possessing a style that could be straight out of gritty UK locations like Sheffield (if you know, you know), Talks Make Do are here with a truly intoxicating and seductive sound that would make Alex Turner himself proud. The five-piece band’s new single is ‘Ripples’, which artfully brings to mind the image of a pebble dropping in a pond to be followed by ripples of pleasing sounds from psychedelic to groove to indie-rock. Throughout the track, these fluid elements blend together flawlessly. While the production style creates a sense of space with those echoed vocals and reverberated guitars; it’s just as though you’re in the room with this promising young band as they perform.
If you can draw yourself away from those sumptuous grooves and percussive hand taps for a moment, we’d like to direct your attention to the cutting lyrics. Broodingly sung lines like, “and there’s enough for everyone, who heard the words on the news, they’ve got a voice that they use, to bide their time,” brings forth the dystopian theme of the 24 hour news cycle that we’re often tumbling around in, helpless to its force. This overwhelming pressure comes to a head in the song’s expressive latter half when those fiery guitars really come into to play.
For the curious readers, the band provide some further clarification to the metaphorical messages peppered throughout ‘Ripples’, by sharing that the song “expresses discomfort with the modern world and how media, news, and entertainment intertwine in ominous ways.”
This is not the first time we’ve unearthed a fantastic indie gem to discover that it’s unpacking the issues of our media-obsessed society and we doubt it’ll be the last. Yet, tracks like this serve to create some much needed perspective, while also being a down-right playlist essential. Speaking of which, you can listen to Talks Make Do‘s single ‘Ripples’ in our Indie Rockers playlist or stay right where you are and click play below.
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