Irish purveyors of hook-heavy bangers and classic summer anthems The Academic are back with a brand new EP Community Spirit, which is spearheaded by single ‘Not Your Summer’.
Forming in 2013, The Academic have been at the forefront of the Irish independent music scene for the last few years, having gained a loyal fanbase across their homeland and the United Kingdom for their brand of positive indie-pop as well as their fantastic live performances. 2020 was a banger of a year for the band, with the release of the EP Anything Can Happen which saw the Mullinger four-piece team up with Kaiser Chief’s Nick Hodgson. The EP was a massive success, gaining rave reviews for its excellent production and fantastic storytelling.
For their new EP Community Spirit, The Academic continue this positivity, taking a big step forward in their musical careers as they’ve begun producing their own music. This shows how much the boys have developed in the last few years, becoming much better musicians.
The EP rocks in at around 23 minutes with five tracks in total, however those 23 minutes completely fly by. The EP continues the boys’ thematic interest in adulthood, as they hone their knack for dealing with the excitement and apprehension of becoming an adult without any hint of cynicism. As for the tracks themselves, they are as always excellently produced. Of course they are in line with The Academic’s style of heart-pumping, foot-stomping summer anthems accented by great guitar hooks and catchy melodies which stay in the head of the listener.
The Academic are on the path to superstardom; 2021 will see the boys make their main stage debut at the iconic Reading and Leeds festival this August. The Academic are a great band, with a great attitude. They’ve worked hard to be where they are and EPs such as their latest show why they are one of the best bands going right now.
Community Spirit is filled with great summer bangers which simply make you smile, and that is greatest compliment any artist can get.
Words by Paul Dawson
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