Bristol band Adult Leisure is arguably one of the UK’s most compelling indie bands right now. They recently wrapped up shows in The Netherlands (VestRock) and Paris (Supersonic) and now the quartet is looking forward to their debut album The Things You Don’t Know Yet. Our first taste of this record is the cinematic and irresistibly heartfelt single ‘The Rules’.
With all the flair and flourish of an 80s rock-pop heartbreak, yet with a modern finesse and indie sensibility, ‘The Rules’ is an impactful introduction to Adult Leisure. We especially love how the textured guitars and rich bassline collide with those emotionally raw vocals, both from the band’s Neil Scott and guest singer Jess Chivers. It’s almost like a back-and-forth conversation, unpacking a fractured relationship through the bittersweet lens of regret and hope. These affecting lyrics evoke an aching sincerity with such clarity that you can practically picture the break-up unravelling like an 80s movie.
Speaking about how this single came about, Scott shares: “Starting off life via an ‘Islands in the Stream’-esque voice-note sent in the band WhatsApp from Dave back in December of 2023, our new single ‘The Rules’ is exactly the pop-soaked song Dolly Parton would be losing her mind at. We were listening to lots of Blossoms at the time and wanted to write a song from both sides of a relationship on the verge of breaking down. Fast forward to earlier this year, when we were lucky enough to work with the talented Jess Chivers who provided backing vocals on the track, the song and emotions we wanted to capture were truly brought to life. This is our take on the 70s golden era of pop duets.”
By balancing both grit and polish, ‘The Rules’ sets the bar high for Adult Leisure‘s upcoming album. Be sure to mark 3rd October in your calendars.
You can also listen to ‘The Rules’ in our Indie Rockers playlist.
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