Overpass

The Birmingham outfit Overpass have released a debut LP that will fit snugly in today's indie landscape in terms of identity and sound. Within a world of what seems to be an indie revival, with the likes of Oasis returning and Sam Fender topping the UK charts, it’s the perfect time for Overpass to release an album that leaves no doubt about the band's identity and intent. It's quite impressive from such a young band to see so much confidence and finesse within the songs. The opening track, ‘Union Station’, sounds like a song that's been around for years. The kind of track that wouldn't sound out of place within an “Indie Anthems” curated playlist on one of the big-hitting streaming services.

It's a song that really sets the tone for the rest of the album, with its crunching, distorted guitars and large choruses. Every song on the album shows the band’s ability to create music that takes you on a journey within its sound, and ‘Union Station’ is a great example of that. A light intro that demonstrates melody and direction is shortly followed by an explosion of gritty guitars, heavy drums and, most importantly, intent. The dynamics throughout the track showcase a band already comfortable with building tension before delivering memorable, soaring hooks.

‘Is This Real’ really shows off frontman Max Newbold’s ability to convey emotion within his vocal range. A haunting echo of a voice extends the nuance of every line with great meaning, making you understand the emotion he's trying to get across, accompanied by an earworm of a chorus backed by the lead guitar affirming its melody. It's one of the album's standout moments and demonstrates just how naturally the band balances atmosphere with accessibility.

This is a debut album that feels like the band's tenth when looking at the assured performances and confidence within the tracks, but it's the themes of the songs themselves that you wouldn't associate with such an early release. The band have mentioned how the record as a whole is a nod to being in your early twenties, feeling like you have the world at your feet but recognising the pressures that come with it. It's notable in the lyrics within the track ‘Spinning’:

“I'm looking all around me
I'm reaching for it madly
I'm thinking of a beautiful place
It's something that I'm trying to embrace.”

It’s bold and honest to take on these themes so early in their career, an attitude which will certainly resonate with their fanbase while also giving outsiders a better understanding of why the band's rapid rise has gathered so much momentum. There's a sincerity running throughout the record that makes its biggest moments feel earned rather than manufactured.
Festival season is well and truly upon us and Overpass are more than amongst it, with performances scheduled for some of Europe’s biggest festivals, including Reading and Leeds, Mad Cool Festival in Spain, and Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. If this debut is anything to go by, those crowds will be hearing a band that already sound ready for the biggest stages. Overpass have delivered a confident first statement that captures the excitement and ambition of a group with plenty of momentum behind them.