That Manchester DNA seems to be at work again. What I mean is that there's yet another new Manchester band to rave about now. Home Counties, a five-piece, make angular, funny alt-rock of that sort that recalls The Young Knives and The Fall. The group's new EP, Redevelopment, is out now via Alcopop! Records.
The title cut is brash, full of chunky riffs and wiry hooks, while "Dad Bod" is wry and sly. This one is clever, and the sort of thing that really makes me think of The Young Knives. Where Home Counties go in a different direction than those guys is that Home Counties have more punch here than art-pop silliness. "Chuggin'" sounds a bit like peak Blur, at least in terms of what Graham Coxon brought to that equation, while closer "That's Where the Money's Gone" reminds one a bit of early XTC.
Home Counties have mastered the art of marrying a big riff to something that's smart. It wouldn't be enough for this to be sly and satirical without the force behind the music, would it? These five players have a nice interaction here, and if the songs sound a bit similar, at least they're all fun, and reminiscent of things we all likely loved earlier in our lives. I'm happy to report that Home Counties are carrying on with a tradition and expanding upon it in some sharp ways.
More details on Home Counties via the band's official Facebook page.