Shambolics release their debut EP ‘U Serious Boi?’ this Friday via Scruff of the Neck Records. It was recorded at Glasgow’s 7 West Studios and produced by Chris Marshall.
Image & artwork courtesy of Sonic PR
Pre-pandemic, Shambolics were making huge inroads into our hearts and minds with Johnny Marr licks via the DMA’s and Fleetwood Mac. They looked destined to break through like Blossoms and The Lathums with alt-pop gems such as ‘Dreams, Schemes, & Young Teams’ and ‘Sandra Speed’. The time away has done nothing to dampen their spirit but has given them time to reflect upon their sonic.
‘U Serious Boi?’ witnesses the band playing with fuzzy guitars and synths for the first time. Former single ‘Take It Or Leave It’ taps into a hooks of Blossoms and early Madonna then builds a groove around its undeniable bassline. Frontman Darren Forbes delivers a vocal hook so good that Stock Aitken and Waterman will be wondering how they missed it. On ‘Like A Breeze’, Forbes taps into his archetypal infectious Fife vocal as the fuzzed-up guitars bounce along like Ben Folds Five to the chorus.
Lyrically, the Shambolics have always had protagonists of a fragile stature. The frail nature of our heroines witnessed on ‘Sandra Speed’ and ‘Love Collide’ were lit up with great heart and soaring melody. A principle that serves them well on ‘Living In The Shadows’. Delicate beginnings lure souls from the darkness as they point out demons are only ever temporary. The build is gentle and cautious, reflecting the integrity and empath of the band to the plight of others in troubled times. The solo is powerful but brief, just the merest of lights shone to offer hope without ever being self-congratulatory. Elsewhere, the strings lend a cinematic Bacharach quality, bringing further tranquility to proceedings.
On ‘Never Gonna Change’ and ‘What’s Going On Your Head’ the band reignites the fire of the pre-pandemic singles. The former is alight with the guitars of ‘Queen Is Dead’, ‘Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others’, and ‘Boy With The Thorn In His Side’ are given a Lee Mavers (The La’s) and Pete Reilly (The View) makeover. ‘What’s Going On Your Head’ has hints of glam-rock as the devilish guitars build to the finest solo to date. With The Lathums currently on top, both tracks are serving them notice as the Shambolics will surely surpass them sooner rather than later.
Where they’ve explored new textures they haven’t achieved the greatness of the sound we know and love. However, there are elements in those tracks that have teeth and which, if they can unlock fully could enhance their repertoire no end.
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