Words: Keira Knox
The much awaited four-track EP, ‘The Gallery’, by indie-rock group Stanleys, released last Friday, September 27, 2024. This collection exemplifies the band’s distinctive style, which combines catchy guitar lines with poignant lyrics to enthral their expanding fan base. ‘The Gallery’ includes three of the indie scene’s most popular songs, ‘I’ll Try,’ ‘She’s Done It Again,’ and ‘He Knows,’ in addition to a brand-new song titled ‘Anything,’ which looks to further cement Stanleys’ status as one of the most promising up-and-coming artists.
‘Anything‘ is the perfect way to capture Stanleys’ distinctive northern soul vibe. Maybe it’s the charming sound of a singer with a local dialect or the jangly guitars and understated drum beats that bring to mind other famous North West bands like The Smiths or The La’s. Tom Concannon’s vocals have never sounded better than on this track, complemented by the musical force that is Jake Dorsman, Harry Ivory and Rob Hilton, ‘Anything’ is a masterfully created track.
Stanleys produce extremely moving tracks, and I believe we ought to start paying more attention to them. Stanleys skilfully blends poignant lyrics with potent instrumentation to create a unique sound with every song. ‘We’re so close to what seems like our success that I Couldn’t fake it I needed to know what’s best.’ Creating stories that are relevant to the towns and cities of the North West and beyond, they haven’t forgotten their origins. If this is a glimpse into what is next for Stanleys, then we are in for a real treat!
With a firm hold on the North West scene, Stanleys have sold out their own headline Manchester Academy 2 event and shared the stage with a number of notable acts, including Jamie Webster, The Libertines, Richard Ashcroft, The Lathums, and The Lottery Winners, and it won’t be long until people throughout the nation are clinging to every word.
Speaking about The Gallery, guitarist Jake Dorsman said, ‘The Gallery is undoubtedly a culmination of our years together as a band. From the college days beginning as a pub cover act and progressing into performing original material, as well as through the uncertainty of the pandemic and lockdown, all the way to our own headline show at Manchester Academy and having a wealthy catalogue of material. The lyricism and tonality reflects within, and for the first time our ability to look retrospectively at our journey so far. We believe it’s our best work yet and we hope you enjoy it with every listen.’
Stanleys have also recently announced two headline shows to celebrate the EP’s release:
29th November – Wigan, The Monaco – their biggest ever hometown show
6th December – Newcastle, Zerox
Tickets are available here – Stanleys | Live in 2024 (tix.to)
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