Forty Four Hours are an up and coming indie-rock band from Manchester who are signed to Domino PR. They are due to release their debut EP Only Just Holding On in January 2016.
The opening track, ‘Hold Out’ is similar to The 1975 in its chilled out vibe, while the guitars are upbeat. The chorus of “No way out is all we know” is anthemic and it could be suitable in a live environment. Up next, ‘Difficult’ continues in this fashion, with the vocals heavily reminiscent of The Courteeners’ Liam Fray. The downtuned guitars give them an edge and separate them from the indie scene.
‘Pressure and Sleep’ features some beautiful electronic drumming and a lovely piano. It could be about the struggle of working under pressure, and it is relatable to a lot of people. The chorus demonstrates this struggle: “I’d much rather sleep / I’d rather chill”. Despite this, the vocals could have been pushed higher in the mix as they are hard to hear.
The final track, ‘The Time and the Place’ has a rockier feel to it, with a slight hint of Biffy Clyro’s early material. The production is raw, which in this case works because it shows the band are honest and sincere both in their lyrics and their music.
Forty Four Hours are from a city with a thriving scene. With the right backing, their honesty will help them reach a bigger audience.
Words by Ermis Madikopoulos