The North London outfit were formed during lockdown. That alone is a message of hope that only an old person planting a tree for future generations can top. They consist of Dan Popplewell (vocals/guitar), Ed Godshaw (keys), Josh Redding (lead guitar), Luke Nottingham (bass), and Joe Jeffreys (drums).
Within a year, they’ve garnered attention from Lammo and are set to line up Shiiine On’s summer party in July and, on June 25th, they will release a new EP. For now, we focus on their last single ‘Only Human’
Usually, we would take a look at a few songs to highlight what a band’s humble beginnings are striving for. The Utopiates, however, are a different animal. Their last single ‘Only Human’ is a moment to saviour.
It’s the stop everything moment! ‘Only Human’ has that power! It’s reminded the world what rock ‘n’ roll can be. EVERYTHING! Guitar music needed this song. Not since Fat White Family has it really done anything new. Somehow, they have Depeche Mode’s darkness and Marr’s expressiveness firing alongside soul music vocals and razor-sharp lyrics.
They’ve taken the good work of Big Image (formerly Ivory Wave) to another universe. The funk and grooves of New Fast Automatic Daffodils’ classic ‘Big’ is injected with the hope of Electronic to conjure new realms for rocks explosiveness to traverse.
That is to say nothing of the guitar solo itself. It’s Prince via The Mondays. It’s mesmerising, it’s destructive, its escapist, it’s nihilistic. It’s a world power launching the nukes. It’s incredulous!
The Utopiates have landed and, bow down to their invasion!