By If you happen to be a believer in the cyclical nature of local indie scenes, you may have been wondering when the capital would next produce a band that will have you leaping out of your Harrington jacket with interest.
That’s where the shot pans to Secret Cameras. Something of a motley crew of ex-members of various moderate successes of late, this rather fresh London outfit are looking to build upon the interest generated from a run of radio-friendly singles with an eponymous debut.
Opening with the optimistically titled ‘Going Places’, the stall is set early for this group’s synthy, hook-laden sound, with a clear view for the anthemic in its well built-up chorus. As a single it has done quite well, and it’s easy to see why – it pushes all the right buttons and leaves on something of a high.
What should more be considered the prize piece is in fact the second track, ‘It Doesn’t Matter’. Resembling a kind of The Cure-meets-Supergrass affair, its driving beat and astute balancing of synth and guitar leads it to an altogether satisfying crescendo, and beckons a sort of sing-song quality that promises much for their live shows.
Something that can certainly be said of this EP is that it is impeccably produced. And by all rights it should be, too – with the pop heavyweights of Shed Seven’s Fraser Smith and the Grammy-nominated David Bascombe on board for producing and mixing respectively, with the latter’s credits including Tears for Fears, Depeche Mode and The Verve, there is fairly blatant evidence to be heard of the experience that has been wrapped around this collection of six songs.
A nod to Courteeners-esque earnest indie pop in the wistful ‘It’s Never Over’ and a relaxed number in ‘For You’ add another couple of interesting themes into the mix, and while not revolutionary in sound, they give a good delineation of what to expect from these boys in the future.
The last two on the EP, ‘Beautiful’ and apt closer ‘When This Ends’ head off in something of a washed-out, slightly distorted direction, with hazed guitars over more distanced vocals. It works, fortunately, and perhaps takes advantage best of the deep singing voice of Itamar Starets.
There is certainly much going for Secret Cameras, including a wealth of experience both onstage and behind them in the studio, and good evidence of that can be seen in their efforts here. So, if not a release destined to set the world on fire, this EP does at the very least appear to be a solid base from which the band can build well. The secret may just be out.
‘Secret Cameras’ is out now via digital streaming and download.
