Whilst there’s never been a shortage of white British bands bands trying to make out that they do listen to Black American soul and R&B, the feeling with New Street Adventure is that not only do they do so, but they’ve managed to produce something of their own in the process. And without the ‘beige’ sound that so often happens when acts try do this, falling flat on their faces (and our ears) in the process.
There’s a sense of the underdog and social commentary here, but with neither a chip on the shoulder nor a negativity about it all. Lyrically strong, and with tunes that linger long after the album has come to an end, this is a debut that displays promise. It isn’t an all-time great debut – but there’s the sense of a band who are finding their feet, and who you sense are sticking to the music that inspires them rather than a ‘just a few tweaks and you could sound like [indie flavour of the month].’
Kicking off with this year’s rather fine ‘On Our Frontdoorstep’ single there’s a timelessness to these songs which will hopefully be finding a wider audience very soon. And I like to think on the evidence within that they can do that.
[Rating:3.5]
No Hard Feelings is out now on Acid Jazz. The band’s album launch takes place at London’s 100 Club on November 4.
