ThisIsTheMusic

The Native are set to release their new EP, Looking Back, as their first release with This Feeling Records.

The release of the EP is another standout moment in a year where there has been so many already. They’ve supported Bastille on their huge arena tour, which included playing at London’s O2, and have also been on the bill at the Isle of Wight, Truck and YNot and festivals.

Blindside really propelled the band into the limelight when it was released back in April and has amassed over 64k streams in Spotify. It’s a great choice as the opening track on the EP as it has a real fresh sound, is anthemtic and a floor filler. The song from start to finish is superb and is backed with pounding drums, great vocals, catchy guitar hooks and sound that Sam Fender would be pretty happy with.

Looking Back starts of in a sombre mood, backed with just Keyboards and Charlie’s vocal, before making way for an energetic uplifting anthem full of chiming guitars, a catchy melody and a driving and energetic rhythm section. Lyrically the song ponders on youthful angst, ultimately an expression of optimism that reaches out to those mired in the darkness. 

“Looking back when the lights are off and I’m doing fine, I wish I knew if I’d dared to try that I’d be alright.”

Changes starts off as a jangly pop track, before exploding into a modern day anthem thanks to the songs huge singalong chorus, which will be sung back word for word when played live. Frontman Charlie Noordewier’s vocal leads the explosive chorus, with soaring guitar riffs and powerful rhythms, as well as  a  powerful and sweet melody, which is a running theme across thE EP. As the song title suggests, the song is about facing up to a challenge and making a change: a relatable message at a time of exhaustive social media challenges. 

All or Nothing sees the tempo and energy drop and is the most reflective moment on the EP.  The chorus is really uplifting and carries you away and is delivered with that fantastic melodic vocal that added with the guitar melody brings a real sense of emotion to the song. The song features the bands most soaring guitar riff across the EP in its outro and is a real standout moment.

20 Something is driven by a thumping bassline,   anthemic hooks, with a sublime catchy melody.   The vocal is full of passion and lyrically focus on living life in your twenties. Namely escaping from the 9-5 and living for the weekend, but the outlines the pitfalls of living the party lifestyle by becoming an addict, becoming unhappy and struggling to get out of the rut they’ve created. 

“20 Something left with nothing, always stuck inside yourself, fully loaded cos you didn’t get out”

If Not Now Then When is the final track on the EP and sees the band in confessional mode. The song tackles a wide range of subjects from love to mental health (my mental health keeps on holding me back) and is quite a vulnerable track, which you can hear hear in Charlie’s vocal. 

Looking Back is a fantastic EP, full of soaring anthems and powerful relatable lyrics, that will propel the Plymouth 5-piece from being “just another” indie band and see them crossover into the mainstream. 

Looking Back is released on Friday 19th August and can be pre-saved here. 

The Native’s upcoming live shows are 

Fri 26 Aug – Leeds Festival

Sat 27 Aug – Reading Festival

Sat 10 Sept – Little Orchard Cider & Music Festival 

Sat 15 Oct – Live At Leeds

I was joined by Charlie and Fergus on the ThisIsTheMusic meets podcast. You can watch the episode the episode on You Tube|Spotify|Instagram|

Alternatively you can listen to the podcast from your preferred podcast listening provider here.

The Native Socials 

Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube| Instagram | Facebook | Twitter|