Nottingham 3-piece release scintillating mod influenced debut album!

Sharp Class, are set to release their highly anticipated debut album, Tales of A Teenage Mind, and firmly puts the band in the mix for album of the year.

Consisting of Oliver Orton (Guitar/Vocals) Declan Mills (Drums) and Lewis Smith (Bass), the band have produced the album themselves, delivering punchy, catchy songs that takes influence from The Jam, The Kinks and Northern Soul.

Here’s our track by track preview.

Tales of A Teenage Mind is a great way to start the album. It’s a fast paced, raucous rocknroll anthem. The guitars are electrifying and has a great groove to it and is an absolute banger.

As the title suggests, it’s lyrics dive straight into the rollercoaster of emotions experienced as a teenager and is really powerful as a result. This track will be relatable and evoke memories for many.

Each and All and Everyone starts off with a blues influenced guitar riff and solid drum beat, and tells the tale of different characters and how they deal with the daily grind. It sounds a really accomplished track and gives a great insight into the quality of musicianship within the band. The outro is full of great guitar hooks that really shine adding great texture to the song.

As the title suggests, Show Me A Good Time is all about having a good time and paints a vivid picture of doing just that. The song rattles along at a ferocious pace, driven by the punchy bass line, and thumping drums.

I Don’t Need You reminds me of the Spitfires in terms of sound and delivery of each members parts. You can feel the passion and emotion in the delivery and lyrically this is a song about breaking free and attempting to make it on you own.

The guitar riffs on I’ve Got It Coming are amongst the best that Sharp Class have produced, they are punchy and electrifying. The drum solo is magnificent and there’s a hint of the frantic style of Keith Moon. Lyrically the track explores how appearances can be deceiving “take a good look this ain’t a facade”. This is one of my favourite songs on the album.

“We’ve always wanted to be able to release a full length album. Even when the industry has been saying things like no one likes albums and albums are dead. We don’t care, we’ve had a blast making this album, learning the craft of recording and producing. We’re very pleased with the track list and for everyone that has followed us over the past 4 years, we hope you enjoy this album. Behind closed doors, Tales Of A Teenage Mind has been in the works over a period of time where we’ve grown as a band, so getting this album out feels like a snug bookend to the first phase of Sharp Class.

Sharp Class: November 2023

Band Wagon is a fantastic tune and is sure to get you up on your feet. Declan’s drums are a real stand out on this song and really showcases his quality as a drummer and kicks off the track in fine style. Those exhilarating and dramatic drums make further appearances throughout the track. The bass line in this track is superb and the songs outro is on fire as it builds and builds into a stunning climax.

The melodic, punchy guitars are front and centre of Move and they swirl and intertwine with the vocal. There’s a swagger about this song, it’s really upbeat, bright and catchy and sounds fantastic.

“I’m very glad with how it turned out. Since the beginning, I had this idea that the album should have an overarching theme and that the songs could tie together in some way. Ever since I wrote the song ‘Tales Of A Teenage Mind’ I knew instantly that it was the title of an album and I held that idea with me to make sure I didn’t lose sight of it. It just felt too good of an opportunity to pass up. As a whole, the album is really just about being a teenager. It’s anchored in the trials and tribulations of growing up.

Oliver Orton: November 2022

Contradiction starts off with an acoustic guitar riff, before being taking an electric hook comes over the top and reminds a little of The Who, big powerful chords. Lyrically this song is full of self-doubt and confliction. The sense of wanting to be part of something that is deemed to be fun and exciting, but not wanting to be the centre of attention.

“Contradiction always conflicting it’s got me cornered, maybe it would be boring if everything was just so straightforward”

With the Northern Soul scene having a big influence on the band, it seems fitting that they build the famous phrase Keep The Faith into a song. It’s packed with energetic drumming, thumping bass lines and guitar riffs that will live long in the memory. Lyrically the song is about believing in yourself and staying true to those beliefs.

“I’ve got to keep the faith, because the future is my aim, and I mustn’t throw it away and let my true principals deviate”

Living For Kicks is the album closer and the band ensured they end it with a bang and leave you wanting more. This is a great example of Ollie’s outstanding songwriting ability and possesses a catchy melody and great lyrics.

“Living for kicks
Isn’t that what it’s always been about?
Living for kicks
The subconscious idea that’s in everyone”

Sharp Class’ debut album is glorious, triumphant and full of catchy songs that are meaningful and will evoke memories of being a teenager offering plenty of hope and positiveness in the lyrics. The musicianship is also of the highest order and is an album that is rich in dynamics and classic mod energy and is truly an album to savour.

In 2023, Sharp Class will be spending 5 months touring the album across the UK, culminating in a 5-day-4-show-whistle-stop-spree of Boston, Massachusetts with The Chelsea Curve, the band that Sharp Class hosted at a sold-out Dublin Castle in Camden back in May of 2022. This will be a tour not to be missed!

Tales of A Teenage Mind is available digitally and on CD on Friday 25th November.

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