Introducing Gateshead-based project Montelimar who recently released their debut single ‘Rainbows’, which puts forward their decades-spanning indie-rock sound. Comprised of founding members Aeron Corbett (vocalist and songwriter) and Tim Cox (guitarist), alongside later additions Mike O’Neill (bassist) and Luke Norris (drummer), this band thrives on a shared love for timeless sounds, like that of The Beatles, The La’s, Teenage Fanclub and The Kinks and an appreciation for the lively North-East music scene.
At its opening, ‘Rainbows’ leads listeners through a hypnotic and slightly eerie soundscape where reverberated strings echo through its relative emptiness. At almost a minute long, this purposeful placement reminds one of a live band queuing up their next single and with effect here is one of anticipation. Montelimar proves that patience pays off as a quick-tempo bass, anthemic drum strikes and breezy guitar strings signal the real kick-off.
All of that shimmering The Cure-esque instrumentation then entwines with rich vocal harmonies, which works together to give off a real late-80s euphoria. Keeping us on our toes, Montelimar switches it up again around the 2:50 minute mark with a sudden shift into tapping percussion and dramatic guitar strums. This moment is elevated by the punctuated deliver of a simple-yet-determined lyric, “Can’t. Let. Go.” Here, we discover the crux of ‘Rainbows’, which is a resolute desire to find hope and beauty in an increasingly complicated world. It’s optimism based in reality, which makes Corbett‘s songwriting strikingly relatable.
With a strong start underway, we’re expecting great things from Montelimar‘s forthcoming debut EP.
You can also find ‘Rainbows’ in our Outsiders Club playlist.
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