Words: Keira Knox
What can I say, then? Van, it’s about time! The 2013 B-side to ‘Rango,’ ‘ASA,’ a rare bonus track from ‘The Balcony’ 10th anniversary reissue, has finally been released by Catfish & The Bottlemen. Fans have been pleading for the release of this song for almost ten years; they have made us wait for an eternity, but now they can finally listen to this incredible track anytime they want! Catfish & The Bottlemen’s comeback is really treating us well thus far!
For me, Van McCann is a poetic genius and one of the most underrated songwriters of our generation. His work deserves much more credit and recognition than what it is given. Should you not be an ardent follower of Catfish and haven’t encountered ‘ASA’ previously, you’re in for a surprise; if McCann has experienced heartbreak, you can be certain it will be a worthwhile listen! ‘ASA’ is a pulsating piece with thunderous, crashing percussion sounds that last the whole duration. The lyrics demand an extra dash of hot intensity, which Van McCann’s gritty, rasping voice deliver.
It’s such a beloved track amongst their fanbase, I think we’re all in a state of shock that it’s finally out there. The day in which we get to scream ‘please honey save it’ is going to be monumental occasion. I need to mention the vocals on this track; they are nothing short of outstanding. The burning passion in McCann’s vocals is undeniable, the way in which his voice compliments the sliding guitar riffs is phenomenal, there is a sense of urgency within his voice, one of his best vocal performances. Likewise, the harmonies in this track are off the charts, they’re much softer in comparison to the lead but blend together perfectly to create something truly magical.
For now, Catfish & The Bottlemen fans can be happy in the knowledge that we’ve got one of their unreleased tracks out in the world. Let’s hope the fanbase don’t have to wait another 10 years for the release of tracks like ‘Ranshaw’, ‘Carousel’ and ‘Ayatollah’.
Rockstars HQ 
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