Hailing from a sleepy seaside town just outside Newcastle, Park View are anything but quiet. This electrifying five-piece are breathing fresh life into the indie rock scene with their raw energy, heartfelt songwriting, and unmistakable Northern grit.
It all began in late 2022 when founding members Alfie Kelly, Alex Potter, and Tom Wass started jamming out ideas that quickly turned into something bigger. The addition of powerhouse drummer Josh Bairstow and groove-driven bassist Louis Simpson completed the lineup—and Park View was born.
Wasting no time, the band launched into 2023 with their debut single “Only”, a bold opening statement that turned heads and tuned ears. They followed up with two more singles, each bursting with emotion, hooks, and sonic punch. Stripping it all back, their “Pub Table Sessions” release offered acoustic reworks of their tracks, capturing the raw soul of their sound and proving they’ve got depth as well as drive.
Now Park View are back with their first new release, since Lights, over 15 months ago, are crashing back onto the scene with serious intent ready to turn heads. Titled The Pretty View, this release is everything fans have been waiting for — a bold, guitar-driven statement packed with gritty charm, soaring melodies, and undeniable indie-rock swagger. Here is the ThisIsTheMusic song by song review.
That Feeling wastes no time establishing its upbeat, almost nostalgic tone. The guitars have a jangly, clean quality reminiscent of The Vaccines or early Catfish and the Bottlemen. It’s high-energy, with an undeniable catchiness to the rhythm and vocal delivery. That Feeling is about the indescribable rush of connection; maybe romantic; maybe existential; but definitely fleeting. The lyrics tap into a universal moment we’ve all felt: when something just clicks, and you can’t quite explain why. It’s youthful, impulsive, and evocative. T The guitar riffs will have you dancing around and provides that moment of pure indie euphoria.
Lights is packed with bright, infectious and soaring riffs, and will instantly grab your attention and is guaranteed to get your toes tapping, shoulders shuffling, and head nodding along in no time. his song leans more toward introspective indie pop, possibly drawing inspiration from acts like The 1975 or early M83
From the first notes, Sleeping on Your Feet feels like a slow exhale. Clean guitar tones ring out with a melancholy clarity, backed by a soft, steady rhythm section that gives the track space to breathe. The pacing is unhurried, almost meditative, allowing each lyrical line to settle and resonate. There’s a bittersweet, nocturnal mood that places this track alongside the more introspective moments of bands like Arctic Monkeys or The War on Drugs.
Call It Fate immediately bursts into life with pounding driving drums that anchors the entire track and gives it a sense of momentum from the first second. Layered over the rhythm section are melodic guitar riffs—jangly, bright, and emotionally charged. The riffs feel both nostalgic and fresh, reminiscent of early 2000s indie rock (think Two Door Cinema Club or Circa Waves) but with a modern twist. Vocals sit front and centre, crisp and clear, with just enough grit to feel authentic. Harmonies swell in key moments, adding emotional weight to the chorus almost pleading yet optimistic, evoking the classic indie theme of youthful uncertainty clashing with hope.
Pretty Sounds lives up to its name an elegant swirl of dreamy guitars, ambient textures, and feather-light percussion. The song floats rather than drives, carried by reverb-drenched chords and a vocal performance that’s vulnerable without being fragile. There’s a gentle melancholy here, but also a kind of peace as if the band is learning to embrace the in-between moments.
The lyrics explore the surface-level beauty that masks deeper emotional truths. It gently questions: Are we really okay, or just okay enough? It’s introspective in the most relatable way—less about giving answers, more about creating space for reflection.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of burnout, disconnection, and emotional fatigue—“sleeping on your feet” becomes a poetic metaphor for going through the motions when you’re too tired to care but too restless to stop.
With five distinct yet connected tracks, Park View is staking their claim as one of the most emotionally intelligent and musically versatile acts in the indie scene right now. From upbeat bangers to reflective ballads to ambient dreamscapes, their music doesn’t just sound good—it feels good.
The Pretty Sounds EP is released on Friday 16th May and can be pre-saved here.
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