{"id":3298,"date":"2016-12-22T13:30:19","date_gmt":"2016-12-22T13:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/review-black-surf-lets-pretend-its-summer\/"},"modified":"2018-03-21T22:16:00","modified_gmt":"2018-03-21T22:16:00","slug":"review-black-surf-lets-pretend-its-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/review-black-surf-lets-pretend-its-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Black Surf – Let\u2019s Pretend It\u2019s Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/figure>\n

They may have left it late, but here comes Leeds lads Black Surf<\/b> with the finest opening to any album this year. Take a bow one-man flyposting crusader and Angry Citizen Chris Jackson. I dread to think how you feel being immortalised on record (I look forward to finding out on album number 2\u2026).<\/p>\n

The good news is that Black Surf<\/b> can match this irreverent and fiery start on \u2018Let\u2019s Pretend It\u2019s Summer\u2019<\/i>, a full-length expansion that builds on their four-track EP released back in August. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

With nods to Ash, Feeder, Weezer and various other 90s alt-pop, power-pop and indie acts, Black Surf<\/b> play unashamedly bouncy indie-pop, filled with hooky choruses, punchy vocals and just enough swagger to deliver the goods stylishly and convincingly. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s well paced too; at 17 songs \u2018Let\u2019s Pretend It\u2019s Summer\u2019<\/i> could have felt punishing \u2013 it\u2019s certainly a brave gambit for a debut album \u2013 yet most of it sticks thanks to clever use of light and shade which, combined with easy, foot-tapping melodies and street smart lyrics, ensures an enjoyable listen for the most part. <\/p>\n

Let’s Pretend It’s Summer | \u30c7\u30e9\u30c3\u30af\u30b9\u30a8\u30c7\u30a3\u30b7\u30e7\u30f3 by Black Surf<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018Screaming at the Sky\u2019<\/i> for example is a grunge-lite riot, tipping its hat casually to Weezer as it rattles past, carried by one of the finest riffs you could hear all year, while the winsome \u2018Army of Sleep\u2019<\/i> keeps a similar loud\/quiet dynamic but throws textured harmonies and sumptuous melodies into the mix, keeping the sound fresh and exciting. <\/p>\n

Unsurprisingly, for a 17-song effort, there\u2019s the odd misstep. The bluesy \u2018Burn it to the Ground\u2019<\/i> only half succeeds, redeemed by yet another glorious chorus, while the rat-a-tat-tat spoken word of \u2018Dive\u2019<\/i> is somewhat jarring. <\/p>\n

But \u2013 and I think this is the crux of what works so well on \u2018Let\u2019s Pretend It\u2019s Summer\u2019<\/i> \u2013 when Black Surf<\/b> keep it simple and stick to their tried and trusted dynamic, they are spectacularly good. Take \u2018Sink\u2019<\/i>, for example. It\u2019s an uncomplicated three-and-a-half minute riot of woozy keyboards and razor-sharp riffs, easily infectious and a winner from start to finish. Best tell our friend Chris Jackson to keep hold of those posters \u2013 they might be worth a bob or two in a few years\u2026<\/p>\n

4\/5<\/p>\n

‘Let\u2019s Pretend It\u2019s Summer’<\/em> by Black Surf <\/strong> is out now.<\/p>\n

Black Surf<\/strong> links: Facebook<\/a>|Twitter<\/a>|
\nBandcamp<\/a><\/p>\n

Words by Rob Mair (@BobNightMair<\/a>)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

They may have left it late, but here comes Leeds lads Black Surf with the finest opening to any album this year. Take a bow one-man flyposting crusader and Angry Citizen Chris Jackson. I dread to think how you feel being immortalised on record (I look forward to finding out on album number 2\u2026). The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":16007,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[2428,2427,15022],"class_list":["post-3298","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-album-reviews","tag-black-surf","tag-lets-pretend-its-summer","tag-rob-mair"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nReview: Black Surf - Let\u2019s Pretend It\u2019s Summer - Already Heard Staging<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"They may have left it late, but here comes Leeds lads Black Surf with the finest opening to any album this year. 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