Priestgate - Eyes Closed For Winter

Yorkshire’s Priestgate recently released their debut EP ‘Eyes Closed For Winter’ via Lucky Number Music (HMTLD / Walt Disco).

Here’s our track-by-track review:

Bedtime Story

If The DMA’s made a Cure record, this would be it. Dream pop-psyche flirting with the lighter gothic moments of Robert Smith’s eyeliner magic. Frontman Rob Schofield switches from a popper Farris Badwan in the verses to the broken gruff soul of James Geard (Sissy & The Blisters) or Alexander "Chilli" Jesson (Palma Violets) in the pain-ridden end.

Darkness loiters lyrically throughout:

“All I really wanna do is sleep / That's the only thing that belongs to mе”

Our protagonist worryingly losing agency is a brave and bold discourse for such a young band to tackle but, a triumph remains!

Eyes Closed For Winter

They’ve taken The Maccabees ‘Feel To Follow’ to the edge of The Horrors’ psychedelic landscapes.  

Both walked the tightrope of creative and commercial success with aplomb. Priestgate has effortlessly moved into this territory on the title track. Melodically soaring throughout, frontman Rob Schofield toys switches from angelic to anthemic alongside the life-affirming guitars of Connor Bingham and Isaac Ellis.

Credits

Real Estate’s bliss and Ride’s pop alt-pop sensibilities ignite this dreamy affair. Schofield’s vocals nestle in between Robert Smith and Harry McVeigh which elevate The Horror’s ‘Primary Colours’ keys and the sumptuous guitar hooks.

The lysergic joy of Afflecks Palace is pumped full of Walt Disco’s new wave playfulness to create a bona fide alt-pop track for the ages.

By The Door

The crowning jewel of a truly incredible debut EP.  The Maccabees ‘Given To The World’ collides with A Flock of Seagulls on this epic adventure. As Schofield sings “leave your secrets by the door / what ya bring them here for”, a darker abrasive world opens up for them.

It’s here their penchant for great melody soars the highest. The juxtaposition of Cure-esque hooks and fractious relationships is a collision Priestgate should revisit over and over for our pleasure.   

Delights - Delights

Delights are an unsigned four piece from Manchester. With this much promise, not for long:

Bloom

'Bloom' demonstrates an impressive real focus for a young band. There is clear recognition they have a good riff and have an expanded a melody around it with excitement levels up more often than not.

Better Place

With some Real Estate-esque guitars in play, Delights garner far more identity than on the opener. The style is laid back like Real Estate but, the high tempo remains and forges interesting new paths.  

Cascade

The vocals are, excuse the pun, a delight. Kevin Rowlands style of fragile soul comes to the fore and reignites a love of underrated 00s bands such as Cajun Dance Party and Polytechnic.

Lust

This is pleasant if nothing else. It’s a kind of indie that will bring in the teenage novice but turn away a seasoned record collector. At the start of a bands journey though, this cannot be held against them.

Delights, an album by Delights on Spotify