With influences ranging from Drake to Modern Baseball, NI’s newest alternative band January were always going to be interesting, but what I didn’t realise was that they would be this good this soon.
The self-proclaimed ‘Belfast Sad Boys’ Niall Cregan, Andy Stanford and Wilson Davidson have just released their debut EP Sad Songs after forming mere months ago. That’s not to say that these three are new to the NI music scene by any means; you may recognise Davidson’s name from the well-known noise-makers PigAsPeople, but this project is a little different.
Gone are the thrashing drums and massive riffs, only to be replaced by something much softer and frankly, more fun. Despite the name, Sad Songs isn’t depressing at all, think more 15 year old angst; still quite dejected, but pretty exciting at the same time.
The first offering, Daydreaming is a riot of drums and plucky guitar, followed by Cregan’s almost monotonous vocals. Along with the tumbling drums, this creates a sort of Fat Lip, Sum 41-esque effect that I definitely dig. There’s a slight problem with the vocals in that they fade into the background and get swallowed up by the rest of the instruments at times, but aside from that, it is a punk-pop (more punk than pop) tune to be proud of.
Final track, Polar is my favourite of the two, and a nice follow-up to Daydreaming, this one is bursting with alternative/emo influences such as Basement and Brand New, especially those harmonious woah’s and that haunting guitar vibrato. This song brings me right back to being a teenager and gives me serious chills of nostalgia.
Disclaimer: Wilson Davidson and I are pals, but I promise that I won’t say something is good if it isn’t. Luckily for our friendship, Sad Songs is an exciting and seriously good first release by a band that I can’t wait to hear more from and am itching to see live.
Like what you hear? Follow January on Facebook, Twitter or BandCamp for news, updates and (hopefully) more great music.
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