The Clause “Pop Culture” Review.

Words: Charlie Barnes

The Clause have been leading the way for the indie rock scene in Birmingham for the past couple of years and have provided it with a big and well needed gasp of fresh air with the release of the funky riff heavy debut EP ‘Pop Culture’ The previous singles and
work from the ‘The Clause’ spin a narrative of the adolescent days and nights of the four piece, they take this premise and add the disco rock groove and riffs to Pop Culture that can’t help but make you want to whip on your dancing shoes and get on the dance floor
and dance the night away.

The EP opens up with the title track Pop Culture and as most of the other foot tapping records on this EP, frontman Pearce Macca leads the way with 60s style swagger which is conveyed well within the lyrics and the riffs from both the guitarist Liam Deakin and the bass player Jonny Fyffe. The song booms with a catchy chorus blended with a funky bass line that you can imagine being played at a 80s disco, the crowd dancing and drinking while being illuminated by a disco ball above them. This funky groove doesn’t allow for any breathers throughout the rest of the EP, with inspiration taken from
contemporary bands such as ‘Foals’ with the summer day and disco rock vibes and the indie garage riff heavy inspiration from bands as ‘The Reytons’ and early ‘Arctic Monkeys’ this hip moving EP is certainly one to have spinning at the summer parties and late
night boogies.

This EP focuses on the key theme of enjoying your life and not to be dragged down your whole life with slaving away at work, it’s about loosening up and making memories “ i was my days stuck in 9 to 5” the lyrics from “Fake It” reflect this and drive the message behind the EP, its all about having fun and dancing, hence the disco rock genre within the EP, every song besides the final song makes you want to dance the night away. The final song on the EP ‘Gabreille’ is one of the best songs written by the band, a love ballad to end the fast paced disco album, it allows us to relax and wind down, with mentions and reference to iconic local Birmingham locations “You took a left off Broad Street” the song is full of heartbreak and fits within the theme of adolescent nights and young love.

‘Pop Culture’ overall is the perfect summer album, easy, listening, fun, hopeful and full of catchy lyrics and riffs which will be played at indie rock nights and festivals for years to come, ‘The Clause’ have provided a fresh sound for the indie rock scene, especially the
Birmingham scene, they have found their sound and hopefully continue to evolve and keep their upbeat swagger going.