We love a come back here at Unrecorded and if there’s one band that we’d welcome back with open arms, it has to be Cat Ryan. This Newcastle indie outfit has made regular appearances with us since 2020 and we’re glad to hear that they haven’t lost their intuition for effortless, rock-inflected indie-pop, as you’ll hear in their newest single ‘Like This’.
It’s interesting that our minds were immediately swept back in time upon listening to ‘Like This’, as this release is also an exercise in bringing back the past, specifically that of frontwoman Mary-Anne. She originally wrote this song in 2017, during her high-school days, and it was the first one she ever finished. You can detect those early origins in the simplistic, cyclical structure of the track, one that rotates around choppy guitar chords, laidback drums, and a playful melody. The track also smoothly incorporates Mary-Anne‘s distinctive vocal style rises and falls in purposeful gradations. Although simple, ‘Like This’ is incredibly effective. It’s soothing, nostalgic and invites the listener to pop this one of repeat.
This track could easily sail on by with the steady, even pace that the band craft in the first half, but Cat Ryan keeps it interesting with an altered time signature at around the 2:30 minute mark. It’s in this section of angular melodies and slanting rhythms that the song’s theme comes to the fore, you can hear the teen angst and stinging disappointment surrounding a break-up. However, we’re soon enough swept up in the climatic instrumental breakdown that propels us back into that playful guitar-led swoon. Despite the emotional pain that first sparked the inspiration behind this track, you can’t help but be comforted listening to ‘Like This’.
This new single is a key insight into Cat Ryan‘s upcoming EP and we can’t wait to hear what else our favourite Geordies have in store.
You can also listen to ‘Like This’ in Outsiders Club playlist.
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