Following a turbulent few years for the band, Catfish and the Bottlemen have released their statement new single ‘Showtime’. Five years is not an exceptionally long time for a band to not release any new music but following the period since their 2019 album The Balance, many fans are grateful that a new release has come at all. ‘Showtime’ follows the announcement that the North Wales rockers would be headlining Reading and Leeds Festival this year, finally breaking the silence that came after their last performance at Neighbourhood Weekender Festival in September 2021. During this time, both drummer Bob Hall and guitarist Johnny Bond left the group, leading to rumours of a split. Although it is not yet known who is accompanying frontman Van McCann (and presumably bass player Benji Blakeway), Catfish and the Bottlemen seem to have come back for good with one of their most genuine, powerfully emotional tracks to date.
The aptly named song marks a bit of a sonic departure from their previous work, abandoning polished indie rock for more of an Americana and folk inspired sound. The track begins with the pulsing rhythm of the drums and bass and Van’s close-quarters vocals and builds up from gentle guitar strokes to big, brash, jangly strums. In a similar turn to ‘7’ from their 2016 album The Ride, the chorus marks a large change of pace with a slower tempo and powerful, tom-heavy percussion while Van’s voice soars out across the musical expanse. ‘Showtime’ is undeniably one of the band’s more innovative and interesting songs which is definitely a welcome sign for any artist that has gone through significant change. This is illustrated by the obvious stylistic variations that can be seen in the track’s influences and amplifier tones, as well as more subtle creative twists like the intricate guitar work and a stabbing, almost ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll piano rhythm in the second verse. It is none more so embodied however, by the fascinatingly effective use of the bagpipes which play a short solo at the end of the song and belt under Van’s expansive vocal notes, giving the choruses the intriguing feel of a Celtic war cry.
The lyrics of ‘Showtime’ are equally as engrossing as its soundscape and provide a perfect snapshot of where Catfish and the Bottlemen are today. The three verses start with the similar lines of “Back to the graft again”, “Back to the fields again” and “Making tracks again” which address the band’s renewal and the pre-chorus lyric “Save analysing the lies for the guys who’ve got the time for it” seems to comment on the speculation that was induced by the lack of explanation for their abrupt break. Many of the lines are ambiguous as to whether they are about a relationship or the situation surrounding the group such as “Could’ve called it a night but there’s too much fight in that heart/ Get your mind right now ‘cause we’re both just about to start”. However, in others like “When I’ve headlined Leeds I’ll be back my friend” there is no such ambiguity.
‘Showtime’ is not only an exhilarating new single, it has provided Catfish fans with an overdue update on the band’s future and an indication that they are back with a bang after a stressful and lengthy silence. If the track is anything to go by, any subsequent releases will be worth waiting for as Van McCann and company are clearly brimming with a new enthusiasm and spirit to drive their fresh creativity and it will be exciting to see where their new direction takes them.
Words by Bas Bevan
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Excellent review and breakdown of the track Bas.