The Relights are an up and coming indie rock band who formed in 2013. Despite hailing from Bedfordshire, the band’s sound has more in common with Madchester and Britpop, with influences including Oasis, The Charlatans, and The Stone Roses. This has helped them build a loyal fanbase, while their hard-working attitude has resulted in a debut EP, Call You When I Come Down, which came out in September.
The opening track, ‘Let the Record Turn’ is an example of brilliant songwriting. The pounding drums are massive and could cause a booze-fuelled moshpit at their gigs. The Noel Gallagher-esque guitar solo works superbly with the reverse tape effects, which bring a nostalgic feel.
The rock n’ roll influenced ‘It’s Good to Be Home’ adds something new to the table, while the production is clean with a hint of raw grit. The chorus of “Tonight it’s good to be home / Tonight it’s alright to be on your own” might seem weak on the surface, but you feel it could be a live favourite as the melody packs a punch. ‘The Last Time’ slows the pace down, but every inch of this track shows a band oozing with confidence and passion, from the swaggering guitar to the strong harmonies.
Call You When I Come Down has a retro feel to it, showing The Relights wear their influences on their sleeve. Despite this, it’s a fun EP full of sing-along moments and plenty of boisterous enthusiasm.
Words by Ermis Madikopoulos