NTNL Rail are a five-piece indie outfit that formed at Sheffield Hallam University with four of the band originally from Leicester. They are made up of Lucas Craxford Kearley (lead vocals), Will Banks (lead guitar & backing vocals), Luke Bradford (rhythm guitar), Alex Kirby (bass guitar), and Elliot Kelly (drums).
Let’s take a look at what they have been up to. Images courtesy of Yuzhu Qin.
Spacey TV
The guitars rumble with Belle & Sebastien’s infectiousness circa ‘Dear Catastrophe Waitress’ and the melodic glee of The Orchids and the love of Camera Obscura. There is a driving sense of urgency reminiscent of Goa Express’ recent success that will carry them far.
Kearley’s vocals are a complex joy to behold. His laid-back vocal isn’t fighting the guitars or lyrics’ positivity but, you sense he is urging his happiness to come out whilst restraining his melancholic and nihilistic instincts. It’s a superb clash of styles that just keeps on giving on every listen.
Summer Sky
If the guitars of ‘Florescent Adolescent’ was given a lo-fi makeover by a supergroup made up of Scissor Sisters and Magic Numbers this would be the results.
Sun-drenched guitars provide a euphoria that Pete Astor has been perfecting since his days in The Loft. The blissful optimism brings peers such as Rooskin into the fold as sunnier climates flood the senses.