Norwich, UK-based The Danphes channel a jangly, power-pop c86-era charm on their stellar debut single, “Heartbreak High.” Featuring Robin Folliard, Dan Ottolangui, Stephen Frost, and Alfie Adams, the group captures youthful optimism through jangly guitars and impactful, bright hooks. Recorded at Sick Room Studios, this release pays homage to legends like Teenage Fanclub, R.E.M., and The Smiths.
Breezy guitar twangs emerge with immediate momentum, quickly complemented by a jangling undercurrent and peppy percussive charm. “I look up, and there’s a rainbow…” optimistic lyrical beginnings glide seamlessly amidst the amiable guitar-led rock sound, enjoyably reminiscent of Last Dinosaurs in its vibrant hookiness. “Maybe if tonight we’ll leave together, forever,” the vocals move with lovely momentum, with its “as the lights fade, in the rear view” romantic, scene-setting venturing to a satiating reprisal of the opening guitar work.
Heart-racing lyrical accounts continue in the ensuing verses, describing nostalgic late-night drives into another escapism-forward hook — beckoning to “leave together” and put any troubles in the past. The production stirs in the build-up from more subdued, introspective verses into the heartfelt yearning apparent in the chorus, maintaining the jangly guitar effervescence while the vocals escalate steadily in emotion, to that affecting “in the rear view” refrain. “Heartbreak High” is a fantastic debut from The Danphes that has us firmly anticipating what’s next from them.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
