By Alex Pearson
Our first album review of the year is the long awaited debut album from Bristol indie five-piece Coasts. They have been around since 2011 when they released their debut single ‘Stay’ in February 2012. Now I know what you are thinking; what the hell have they been doing for the last four years…? And the simple answer to that is who knows?
Now, this means that you will probably have heard of a lot of the songs on the album. First track ‘Oceans’ gave them mainstream success and is still, by far their best song which is still just as infectious as it did on its release – with sun-drenched guitar hook giving it a summery outlook – but it is never a good idea to start with your best track unless you can back it up.
Yet, Oceans sets a high benchmark that the rest of the record struggles to match on a consistent basis, with too many of the tracks sounding so polished and clean-cut that they lack any real character or distinction. Coasts debut single ‘Stay’ is also in the self-titled album that is a perfect example their brand of tropical-indie, and is infused with intelligent lyricism, mesmerising vocals and catchy guitar and percussion lines. The simple, sparse verses erupt into a pop-tinged chorus, leaving listeners drenched in the sound of summer.
‘Wolves’ is second to replicate the success of their flagship track with its Chvrches-like synths and big anthemic chorus that makes a great tune but listening to Oceans beforehand you don’t get the same feel out of the song than you should. Personally ‘Oceans’ should have been put further down the album, so you can really get the best out of their music.
Tracks such as ‘Rush Of Blood’ and ‘Modern Love’, which have a touch of The Wombats about them, showing the bands vast music capabilities. Slick pop tune that possesses an anthemic chorus worthy of all the enthusiastic buzz around the band.
‘Lions’ is merely pleasant because it’s upbeat and simplistic – and music that holds characteristics like these must at least hold some value. The dominant feature is the guitar work or any of the synth doesn’t embody anything radical or even striking, but forms a catch in how it melds together effortlessly. On a similar note, vocals tow a fine line between being delicate and full-blown rasp.
Coasts haven’t produced anything bad here, their album is class, but it is seriously lacking some adventure, which is a crying shame considering how good Oceans still sounds – that might come down to being extremely fine-tuned – however saying that there is still enough here to please their already passionate fan base, but Coasts will need to take far more risks next time around if they really want to make their mark.
If you like the album you can purchase it through the link here!
