Since the 80’s popular music has become cyclical and it’s perhaps surprising that it’s taken nigh on 20 years for the term shoegaze to be added back in to the lexicon of popular music terms. Here it is though, and it’s no bad thing with bands such as Nothing and now Downers making a decent fist of paying homage.

Formed from the ashes of various North West acts, Downers are the latest to take a stab at the oft maligned, always mis-understood indie sub-style that was popularised by the likes of My Bloody Valentine in the early 90’s. Having only formed in early 2015 it’s impressive to note that Downers are already on EP #2 and it’s equally impressive that they’ve managed to avoid passé hero worship and have stuck together 3 tracks of top quality indie-rock.

Sure, it’s impossible not to imagine the aforementioned My Bloody Valentine along with smidge of Teenage Fanclub whilst listening to opening track ‘Graze’ but it’d be grossly unfair to mark Downers down as mere copyists. There’s a delicious and distinctive element of punk rock runs throughout the record which sets them apart is presented with the restrained vocal stylings you’d expect of a band hooked on 90’s guitar sounds.

It’ll illicit groans galore and might strike as lazy journalism but there truly is no getting away from how much like Nirvana the closing track ‘Grown Out’ sounds. It’s by no means a rip-off though as the fuzzed up riff stabs away with an underpinned vocal moan. If you wished that early Nine Black Alps had a more direct sound then you’ll love this.

4/5

‘Noose’ EP by Downers is out now on Local Colour Records.

Downers links:Facebook|Twitter

Words by Rob Fearnley.