Letters From London EP - MAZE

By Daffs aka @TwoDaff

Maze are a Britpop, Indie Band from South London with influences including Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene and The Stone Roses to name but a few. After having released their first couple of singles the band quickly gained a lot of attention and this in turn lead to them receiving a publishing deal with Sony music. From then on in the band has been gigging up and down the country playing and entertaining crowds everywhere they go. The band is passionate about what they do and love connecting with their audiences.

Maze are Gary Davis (Lead Vocals), Paul Hancock (Acoustic Guitar and Backing Vocals), Paul Bassom (Rhythm Guitar), Scott Forsyth (Lead Guitar), Ben Rutherford (Bass) and Aaron Palmer (Drums). Previous releases include ‘Far Away' released in 2021, ‘Love is Blind’, 'Coming for you’ and the album ‘Chaos Interrupted’ followed by the recent ‘Step too soon' and ‘We’ve seen them all’.

The band have just released their latest five track EP ‘Letters from London’ on February 17th before the anticipated release of the 16 track ‘ B-side the Seaside’ due out in late March.

The opening track from the EP is ‘Step too Soon’. Instantly you are hit with a melodic acoustic guitar intro and soaring vocals, it has a real Roses vibe reminiscent of Mersey Paradise. It’s a haunting almost dreamy track packed full of shimmering guitars with an acoustic rhythm. Vocally it’s great, it intertwines with the instrumental giving a Summery hazy vibe and really sets the EP up and encourages you to dive in.

A Summery hazy vibe

Next up 'We’ve seen them all’ see’s a change in both tempo and vibe, thumping pacey drums open the track backed with a jangle of rhythm guitars before the rest of the band jump in and add a resonating depth. Its driven and again the vocal is on point, pure indie Britpop with just a hint of aggression in the chorus. It’s got a nice bass laden groove that really gets the foot tapping. Like it.

A jangle of rhythm guitars

‘Sometimes’ is the third track, guitar driven, there’s a dynamism that seeps through as the song progresses, again its laden with guitar riffs and has a great hook with a bassline that rolls. Following this comes the title track ‘Letters from London’, this has real catchy beat, I get a slight Northern Soul vibe here, it’s the kind of track that will have you up dancing. Its upbeat with a real nostalgic vibe. Guitars shimmer and shine, with a glorious lead bubbling away in the background.

A real nostalgic vibe

Finally we have the closing track ‘TLS’ (Twisted Little Soul)and what a way to close the EP. Packed with energy and intensity it has a real groove, another dancefloor filler. Its anthemic and my favourite track. Throughout the whole track list, the vocal shines and there’s no change here. Guitars drive this, fast paced leads and riffs set the track alight highlighting the vocal and lifting the track, making it soar.

Packed with energy and intensity

I have to be honest and say haven’t really listened to Maze before (Sorry lads) but after hearing this they are on my playlist from now on. They have an intensity and drive that shines through each track. Yes, you can hear their influences but that’s about it, they have made their sound their own. Every track is catchy, upbeat and relatable, its fresh and vibrant. The vibe is strong, packing in memories of classic 90’s Britpop with a modern outlook. They have a uniqueness yet you know where they are coming from with their sound, I for one am looking forward to where they go next.