The Moors - The Hermitts
By Daffs aka @TwoDaff
The Hermitts formed during the lockdown summer of 2020 as a bedroom project of Matt Hicks. They released a slow but steady line of singles that led to last year's 'Weight of the World EP' released on 7" vinyl by Old Bad Habits label. Their latest release comes before the band's first live dates where Matt on guitar and vocals will be joined by Ian Evans (Horowitz), on lead guitar, and Pete Bowers (ex-Rosehips) on bass for gigs at the Artisan Tap in Stoke on April 13th and at Old Bad Habit's indie popfest in Athens, Greece on May 20th.
Released on April 4th 2023, ‘The Moors’ is their first new music for nearly a year, and takes its influences from melodic 90s indie like Teenage Fanclub as well as 60s folk psych acts such as Love and Kevin Ayers. In fact, Matt describes it as "Teenage Fanclub on magic mushrooms"
A heady atmospheric mix of sound
On opening it has that late 80’s/early 90’s jangly power pop riff backed with a thudding energetic rhythm. The lead riff chimes and shimmers above the fuzzy distortion of guitars, giving a heady atmospheric mix of sound. It immediately takes you back, its nostalgic with a punch of modern indie attitude.
Intoxicating fuzzy rhythms.
The vocal is fantastic, it’s almost melancholy, yet it has a hopeful feel, there’s a vibrancy within that cuts through. The backing guitars are a distorted dream, creating a sizzling almost trippy backdrop for the lead to soar, glistening and dancing on top of the intoxicating fuzzy rhythms.
A shaft of light that shines in the darker tones
I like the mix of tones in this track, there is a definable swagger to the rhythm, the guitars are punchy almost raw whilst the vocal is smooth, a shaft of light that shines in the darker tones. It’s a great mix, I get hints of teenage Fanclub but also Jesus and Mary Chain yet there is a modern twist, and a coolness in the vocal that creates a great vibe.
A coolness in the vocal that creates a great vibe
This is the first track I have heard from The Hermitts; I have to say it got me hooked, I like the sound, in particular the driving, distortion of the guitars and the blend of the more pensive vocal, creates a dynamism that jumps out at you. The Moors is an exhilarating track, a heady blend of classic power pop and modern indie rock, it leaves you wanting more. Impressive!
Check out their Bandcamp here
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