With Pastel in the ascendency and label mates Marseille in the rear-view mirror, something is afoot in the UK right now. Ballsy shoegaze and escapist rock ‘n’ roll is on the rise. Throwing their name into the hat next are Subterrania. Their latest single ‘Peaks’, was recorded with Wolf Alice producer Michael Smith and was released last week via Echo Bass Records.
banner image courtesy of Songbird PR.
Artwork courtesy of the band.
Frontman Dylan Cai serves up a vocal that beds in between Liam Gallagher and Pastel’s James Yates. In the angelic verses, Cai arguably delivers the finest homage to Gallagher’s early Oasis days yet.
It’s a record that twists from angelic indie melodies to bruising shoegaze and bluesy rock 'n' roll, forged in the hedonism of the 90s. Like their label mates Marseille and Pastel, the sense of Richey Edwards’ ‘4 Real’ oozes from this single. The lyrics deliver hope (“I see the road ahead”), and the muscular blasts of guitar distribute hope. Together, they can forge a new allegiance of righteous souls marching on big venues and festival main stages.
Despite the many layers, it’s a simplistic record: Melody, noise, and a burst of sweet release in a solo. It’s a reminder that the music's principles haven’t changed, only its purveyors have been weak for too long. Subterrania have kicked off 2025 with a bang!