Loaded Album of the Week
By Darren Croft
The Guest List: Something Real
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A Brilliant debut album”
Well, well, well. What do we have here? A proper indie banger, and a debut album that hits the ground running.
Something Real is an energetic and emotionally charged introduction to a band with plenty to say. The Manchester five-piece combine punchy indie-rock guitars with sharp, socially conscious songwriting. They take on social media, anxiety, climate change, mental health and the pressures of growing up. (Don’t do it, kids!)
The title track pairs a catchy, upbeat riff with lyrics that question a world increasingly dominated by outrage, division and online bullshit.
The louder tracks, such as “Ruine” and “Pink,” are packed with infectious guitar lines and energetic rhythms, while songs like “Sick Animal” provide a more vulnerable and reflective contrast.
“Mundane” is the track you’ll keep playing over and over again, swearing blind you heard it played in a sweaty indie club in the 90s. Yes, there are moments where the band’s influences are clearly noticeable, but the strength of the songwriting and the sheer enthusiasm of the performances make Something Real an exciting first statement.
“If Ever Your Devil Is Kind” is arguably one of the album’s strongest moments, gradually expanding into an emotional and melodic highlight that shows the band can do more than simply deliver indie-rock anthems.
Cai Alty’s vocals are powerful and distinctive without losing the sense of vulnerability that runs through the record.
It’s a record that suggests The Guest List are not simply another promising indie band; they could be one of the more interesting new acts to watch.
For us, it is one of those rare albums that gets you hooked right away. None of that “It took me twenty plays, but I finally got it” shite.
This is one guest list you’ll want to get on right away. A brilliant debut album.