The Northern Line are an indie band from Boston, Massachusetts who are named after the underground English transit route and raised on a steady diet of Britpop, baggy, Madchester, and modern alternative, who urge everyone to raise a fist, bang a drum, and get on the indie dance floor. The band comprise Bilvox (vocals and rhythm guitar) Pete Kitchener (lead guitar), Joshh Magee (bass), McG (drums, percussion, and backing vocals), and Mike Ackley the co-founding keyboard player who has since relocated back to England, with new recruit Carrie Ingber holding down his spot. They release their Self-titled four track EP this month.
`Let`s Roll On` leads us in and it`s a really dreamy melodic offering that really reminded me of indie Brit- popsters The Charlatans 1990 hit `The Only One I Know` and refers to modern anxiety but to stay hopeful. It has a sweet guitar solo midway through and ends quite abruptly. We have in `Lightening Strikes` a song that is saturated with delightful organ hues and is about moving past the struggle of life and embracing the moment. A trippy almost psychedelic submission where the guitar really lets rip towards the end of this offering.
`Out in The Drift` is a slow burn about a relationship that isn’t all that healthy. A wonderfully and deeply reflective listen with vocals that express a kind of disappointment or regret and some enticing shimmering guitar riffs. The final cut `Throw A Fist` has an underlying message of releasing emotional pain, shrugging off past failures, and accepting life’s journey. The cadenced drum beat, guiding bass line, organ hues, and jangly guitar tinges give this piece a real groovy foot tapping vibe with a slight hint towards The Stones Roses.
The Northern Line extended play is not only a flavour of what this group can offer but is a sure fire dance floor filler.
I love that in their marketing they have Boston-ised the baggy taglines of Mass.-chester and Cool Bostonia which made it more personal and tongue in cheek.
This EP is sixteen minutes of pure pleasure which will have you “Buzzin`!,” “Sorted!” and leave you “Mad fer it!”, I encourage you to get on the Northern Line`s Groovy train.
Rating 9/10
