From the opening strums of ‘Swim’, there is a magnetic quality to Birmingham newcomers Terminals. Led by the assured voice of guitarist James Whitehouse, ‘Swim’ sees the trio display an all-encompassing and immersive brand of alt-rock. Joined by James Cohu (bass) and Joe Cooper (drums), Terminals‘ latest track cites Deftones, Radiohead and Loathe as influences. It’s easy to see why with Whitehouse’s atmospheric guitars, and hazy lyrics, alongside Cohu and Cooper providing a sturdy rhythmic base.
Terminals formed in late 2022 and released a smattering of singles throughout 2023. Amongst them was the soaring pair of ‘Exist’ and ‘Capsize’. However, ‘Swim’ considerably sees the three-piece stepping up. It’s the band’s first offering of the year, having turned an AirBNB into a studio to self-produce their soon-to-be-announced debut EP. The venture allowed the trio to hone in on creating a body of work with boundless possibilities, centred on emotional storytelling.
In the case of ‘Swim’, Whitehouse reflects on his reliance on alcohol. “”Swim’ is about trying to escape using alcohol. I used it as a coping mechanism to deal with loneliness after lockdown, and after some time I realised that whilst It made me feel a sense of euphoria, it deepened the problem,” Terminals‘ vocalist and guitarist explained. “The lyrics touch upon how it made me feel on top of the world, swimming in a deep blue sky, but how it masked the high, burying me in gold.”
The track also sees Terminals work with Hamish Dickinson (Palm Reader, Jinda Giant, Redwood), who mastered the track, giving it the cinematic finish it needed. Ultimately, ‘Swim’ marks the beginning of a band who have seemingly already found their stylistic feet; captivating with an admirable blend of dense instrumentation and melodic charm.
May
1st New Cross Inn, London – supporting Rosary
12th Gazefest 2024 – Centrala Space, Birmingham
Find Terminals on: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music | Linktr.ee
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