Somerset indie rockers October Drift are back with their third and most exciting album so far Blame The Young. With a more distinct and signature sound, the band combine positive lyrics with gritty instruments on their best work yet.
Following on from their last album I Don’t Belong Anywhere, the new record feels like a clear evolution and a more mature release. Recorded in a Somerset Airbnb as opposed to their own studio in lockdown, Blame The Young is looser but more polished record.
The title track opens the album with a clean rhythm guitar and singer Kiran Roy for the first few lines before the drums come in. This is soon followed by bass and then eventually lead guitar from Dan Young which really brings the track to life.
An opening two tacks of ‘Blame The Young’ and ‘Demons’ feel very Hot Fuss-esque. From the guitars to the drums, the 00s indie rock sound is captured perfectly yet the tracks still feel fresh.
The album features the bands best lyrical work throughout as well. Tracks such as ‘Nothing Makes Me Feel (The Way You Do)’ and ‘Everybody Breaks’ feel personal but don’t change the mood too much. There’s also no lack of huge singalong choruses either with ‘Blame The Young’ and ‘Tyrannosaurus Wreck’ sounding perfect for live shows.
Instrumentally the album is inherently indie rock. That’s not to say the band do move and change genres throughout the record though sometimes turning the distortion up and stepping into a punk/grunge sound. Dan Young’s lead guitar gives hints of shoegaze also throughout, most noticeably on ‘Heal’.
Ending as strongly as it starts they keep one of the best tracks till last. ‘Not Running Anymore’ feels like the ideal closing track with a clean opening verse before everything is once again cranked up.
Blame The Young is October Drift’s best album yet. From the first song to the last there is no shortage of quality. The album feels like is made to be played live and with a headline tour coming up there’s no shortage of opportunity. Delivering one of the most exciting albums of the year, October Drift are not to be slept on.
