Catchy Indie
Black Country boys The Priory follow up a major support slot with Editors in Birmingham and London with the release of their debut single 'Freeworld'. Despite leaving you with the feeling that you've heard this sort of thing a million times already in the past twelve months, this doesn't alter the fact that it is an excellent song.
On the strength of the tracks on offer on this single the band fit in nicely alongside the likes of The Killers, Editors and The Bravery, as they produce fantastically catchy Indie rock with a definite nod in the direction of the cooler music to come out of the eighties. The vocals are similarly deep in their sound to all three of those bands hence why you might be forgiven for thinking you'd heard it before.
In the first few seconds of 'Freeworld' you are transported back to early Joy Division, in particular the legendary 'Transmission', as although the bassline rift to 'Freeworld' is a touch slower it does have a similar dark atmospheric power to it. Right at the end is a funky little electronic drum thing going on, which does appear to have just been tagged on the end and doesn't quite fit, but if nothing else it draws your attention back to the eighties influence that could come from anyone from Joy Division and New Order, to Public Image Limited, Talk Talk or the new romantic scene in general. These two retro bookends sandwich a track that is perfectly designed for radio play and could, if given the chance be a decent hit.
They've been working with Gavin Monaghan, who has produced Bloc Party and Editors. If their debut album is half that of those two bands it should be well worth a listen.