Reminiscent of the early years of British indie staples like Arctic Monkeys and Paolo Nutini, although with their own updated flair is fast-rising band Keyside. Hailing from the music-mad city of Liverpool, there is no doubt that this four-piece would have grown up absorbing the best of UK sounds. Now, through their own creativity they’ve put to use many of those key elements, such as timeless songwriting, uplifting melodies, and intricate instrumentation. This combination comes to fruition in the band’s latest single ‘Angeline’.
As though taken straight from the playbook of iconic songs that share a totemic vision of feminine beauty and mystery – think The Police’s ‘Roxanne’, Zuton’s ‘Valerie’, or Toto’s ‘Rosanna’ – this track is built around the figure of Angeline. There’s even a hint to the indomitable character of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ in the opening lyric, “she’s been working 9 ’till 5.” This first line opens out into a captivating narrative that’s delivered by the lead vocalist’s charming Northern accent, complete with hard Cs and warbling vowels.
Elsewhere on the track, the band keeps a lively sense of animation going from start to finish. It’s a kinetic mix that borrows from beach-rock, dream-pop, and indie-rock to build an irresistible style that sets the outfit squarely in the coastal and urban setting of Liverpool. Listening to ‘Angeline’, you’ll surely find yourself bopping along to the vintage-tinged guitar riffs, upticking bass, and bouncing drums.
Keyside‘s ‘Angeline’ is such a solid track that begs for numerous replays. We can definitely hear why this band have been taking their local venues by storm. We look forward to where it all takes them next.
You can also listen to ‘Angeline’ in our Indie Rockers playlist.
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