Leeds-based quartet This City Limits are making all the right noises media-wise and their debut EP should serve to solidify their growing reputation. ‘Here’s to Hoping’ offers up an interesting blend of melodic punky rock tunes with a heavy nod to the epic, which hints at their potential.

There’s a definite HR/HM influence underlying their contemporary sound, especially on ‘Thief’ and ‘Runaway’, which both stray into power ballad territory, yet are equally cool tunes, exploring the epic with rousing riffs, lingering notes and climbing scales in the smoking solos.

Strong emotions run throughout this heartfelt record; ‘Too Scared to Swim’ and ‘Saltwater’ benefitting from a roughness to the vocal, giving an emotional edge to their punk pop vibe. ‘So This is Home’ brings all the elements together in the bombastic closer; the atmospheric piano intro soon building into a full-blooded slice of catchy punked-up rock, before the calm mid-section segues into an epic sing-along finale of big riffs and frantic drums.

All in all, this is a good solid release, and with a bigger production budget and a guiding hand, they could be an interesting proposition.

3.5/5

‘Here’s To Hoping’ by This City Limits is released on November 13th.

This City Limits links: Website|Facebook|Twitter

Words by Edward Layland (@EdwardLayland)