Manchester duo Barely Strangers have released triumphant new single ‘Mess Around’ which remains true to their Mancunian roots.
I love it when musicians take a DIY approach to their music. One of my favourite bands growing up was Foo Fighters, and I’d be lying if I told you that the infamous story of Dave Grohl recording his debut album totally on his own didn’t blow my tiny child brain. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a major label big-budget colossus with lots of contributors, but there’s an allure to an artist putting in some elbow grease and being left to their own devises. Barely Strangers are a band build on their DIY approach to songwriting, and they’re doing it with aplomb.
Just a glance at Barely Stranger’s Spotify bio and I’m sold. Yes, that’s apparently all it takes to impress me. But I love reading about two lads (Patrick Ryan and Sam West) writing, recording, mixing and mastering in their basement. It’s that non-glamourous side to rock and roll that Barely Strangers are embracing, and to me, that means they’re hungry.
Hailing from Manchester, it’s no surprise that Barely Strangers take influence from the northern powerhouses like The La’s, The Stone Roses and The Smiths, but Patrick and Sam undoubtedly walk to the beat of their own Mancunian drum. This is absolutely the case with the band’s new single ‘Mess Around’.
What hit me like a train was the quality of the recording on ‘Mess Around’. “So what?” I hear you ask. Yes, good quality recordings in 2024 are a dime a dozen, I’ll give you that, but for a new band to be so technically dextrous is always promising. The opening riff is indeed very Stone Roses, and I love Patrick’s nonchalant vocal delivery.
The chorus arrives quicker than expected with Patrick anthemically hollering “yeah you feel so great / guess I loved you then and I need you now.” The guitar lead that follows the chorus might also be one of my favourite guitar parts I’ve heard in ages.
I can’t help but marvel at how well ‘Mess Around’ is written; it does exactly what needs to be done, keeps it simple, trims the fat and gets on with it… you’re going to hate me for this… but the track doesn’t ‘Mess Around’.
Awful puns aside, ‘Mess Around’, is a lucid showcase of Barely Stranger’s confident songwriting chops. The band opt for simple verses and choruses with a clear sonic focus, and they deliver this flawlessly. If you’re looking for a no frills, nostalgic sound and great tunes to boot, look no further than Barely Strangers.
Listen to Barely Stranger’s new single ‘Mess Around’ below:
