We Are Lost Boys
The chaps in We Are Lost Boys recently dropped us a line, letting us know about their new six track EP, Life, and to see what we thought of things. Formed in 2010 and immediately attaining the Kerrang! TV video of the week, this is a band who are on the up, building a solid fan base, and getting their names out there. Recorded at Outhouse Studios (used by the likes of Enter Shikari, Your Demise and You Me At Six) and with Jon Mitchell, the EP sets out to portray a refined maturity through diverse vocals, massive hooks and monster melodies. I figured that based on all of this, the least we could do would be to chuck a review up for the guys, so hit play to see what was going on!
Opening with Don’t Care we’re immediately shown the punky yet heavy roots of the band, immediately launching into something which holds the catchiness of punk rock but the heaviness of a far dirtier beast. Upbeat and the sort of thing which is going to get a live crowd going, this opening track sets the scene for what is to follow and shows us a band that understands their craft, can write songs which will hook you in from the word go and a real sense of ‘go-get-‘em’ style rock music. As the guitars fuel the track, the bass and drum rhythms all build around and back up the soaring vocals, resulting in a mix which will get you jumping, get you turning the volume up and get you singing along to ‘you’re the only one I trust’ before you know it. From Home Sweet Home continues this approach, immediately smashing open with a hammering guitar line accompanied by more of that rumbling bass, setting the scene for another quality track. There’s a real sense of mainstream appeal going on here, something which adds to the heavy mix and turns it into something accessible and easy to listen to, the sort of thing which propelled the likes of Jimmy Eat World into the spotlight, and the sort of thing which will give these guys a real chance of success moving forwards.
Who Has To Know tones things down a notch for the opening moments, opening far more calmly and suggesting at a dark track to follow, but not for long. Soon returning to the upbeat sense of distortion and refined aggression, the track resumes the style you’d expect and opens up into a far more technical track, the sort of thing which gives a band that advanced feel, that sense of accomplished song writing and playing throughout. Once again returning to a catchy chorus to hook the track together, this is one of my personal favourites from the EP, and one which I reckon could well get some recognition going once again. T.W.O.T.W (The Way Of The World) doesn’t mess about as it comes into lead, this time opening straight up with a blast from the vocals and guitars, launching us into a track of anthemic proportions akin to Def Havana and some of the later Blink 182 stuff, it’s an odd comparison but it’s what I found myself thinking of as it played out. Slower and more emotionally charged, this is a track which stands out on the EP as one which shows off the development of the band, the sort of track which shows where they’ve come from and shows how much they’ve developed.
What Now once again slows things down for the opening moments of the track and shows off a more calm and collected side to the band, this time opening into a ballad of sorts and showing us that melody is indeed at the heart of the music on offer. Deep and emotionally laden, this track stands out as a calm moment of reflection on the EP, a moment which will sit you back as it comes into being and make you simply think about what you’re hearing. Another of my favourites from the EP, this track once again demonstrates that we’re dealing with a band who understands their instruments, their songs, and their outlook on their music. Building to a crescendo to close, it’s only then left to Old Street to close the EP, finishing with another upbeat and hard hitting track, almost as if to say they hadn’t lost their edge in that last track. Melodic and full of catchy hooks from the word go, this track closes the EP but in other ways, opens up the door for the next chapter, once again showing the bands development and finishing on a track which I can’t see anyone disagreeing with, it’s a high point to close and leaves us wanting to hear more.
All too often we get a one sheet in from a band that promises a lot, but delivers very little of what they say they’re going to. That’s not the case with We Are Lost Boys, as if anything, I’d say they’ve undersold themselves. The music on offer here is calm and collected, yet upbeat and full of moments which make you want to get out to a gig. If you’re looking for a new band to discover and a reason to love music again, then these guys could be for you – I’m seeing big things ahead of these guys if their exposure continues!
To find out more about We Are Lost Boys, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with Don’t Care we’re immediately shown the punky yet heavy roots of the band, immediately launching into something which holds the catchiness of punk rock but the heaviness of a far dirtier beast. Upbeat and the sort of thing which is going to get a live crowd going, this opening track sets the scene for what is to follow and shows us a band that understands their craft, can write songs which will hook you in from the word go and a real sense of ‘go-get-‘em’ style rock music. As the guitars fuel the track, the bass and drum rhythms all build around and back up the soaring vocals, resulting in a mix which will get you jumping, get you turning the volume up and get you singing along to ‘you’re the only one I trust’ before you know it. From Home Sweet Home continues this approach, immediately smashing open with a hammering guitar line accompanied by more of that rumbling bass, setting the scene for another quality track. There’s a real sense of mainstream appeal going on here, something which adds to the heavy mix and turns it into something accessible and easy to listen to, the sort of thing which propelled the likes of Jimmy Eat World into the spotlight, and the sort of thing which will give these guys a real chance of success moving forwards.
Who Has To Know tones things down a notch for the opening moments, opening far more calmly and suggesting at a dark track to follow, but not for long. Soon returning to the upbeat sense of distortion and refined aggression, the track resumes the style you’d expect and opens up into a far more technical track, the sort of thing which gives a band that advanced feel, that sense of accomplished song writing and playing throughout. Once again returning to a catchy chorus to hook the track together, this is one of my personal favourites from the EP, and one which I reckon could well get some recognition going once again. T.W.O.T.W (The Way Of The World) doesn’t mess about as it comes into lead, this time opening straight up with a blast from the vocals and guitars, launching us into a track of anthemic proportions akin to Def Havana and some of the later Blink 182 stuff, it’s an odd comparison but it’s what I found myself thinking of as it played out. Slower and more emotionally charged, this is a track which stands out on the EP as one which shows off the development of the band, the sort of track which shows where they’ve come from and shows how much they’ve developed.
What Now once again slows things down for the opening moments of the track and shows off a more calm and collected side to the band, this time opening into a ballad of sorts and showing us that melody is indeed at the heart of the music on offer. Deep and emotionally laden, this track stands out as a calm moment of reflection on the EP, a moment which will sit you back as it comes into being and make you simply think about what you’re hearing. Another of my favourites from the EP, this track once again demonstrates that we’re dealing with a band who understands their instruments, their songs, and their outlook on their music. Building to a crescendo to close, it’s only then left to Old Street to close the EP, finishing with another upbeat and hard hitting track, almost as if to say they hadn’t lost their edge in that last track. Melodic and full of catchy hooks from the word go, this track closes the EP but in other ways, opens up the door for the next chapter, once again showing the bands development and finishing on a track which I can’t see anyone disagreeing with, it’s a high point to close and leaves us wanting to hear more.
All too often we get a one sheet in from a band that promises a lot, but delivers very little of what they say they’re going to. That’s not the case with We Are Lost Boys, as if anything, I’d say they’ve undersold themselves. The music on offer here is calm and collected, yet upbeat and full of moments which make you want to get out to a gig. If you’re looking for a new band to discover and a reason to love music again, then these guys could be for you – I’m seeing big things ahead of these guys if their exposure continues!
To find out more about We Are Lost Boys, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls