Natives – ‘Indoor War’

By Tamsyn Wilce

‘Indoor War’, the debut album from Hampshire based Natives has been a long time coming. The release was pushed back month after month, leaving fans and the band themselves agitated over the fact nobody was hearing new music and that shows had to be postponed because of the delay. That said, ‘Indoor War’ is finally here, and it is most certainly worth the wait.

The album brings together all the best elements that Natives have to offer. It includes all the previously released tracks, ‘This Island’, ‘Big Plans’ and ‘Going In Alone’ that established the band as something fresh, something exciting and which provided the building blocks for the anticipation for this record. Amongst those, there’s a whole array of upbeat melodies, powerful vocals and choruses that come at you like a hit of adrenalin.

‘Can’t Say No’ is the first single to be taken from the album, and is without a doubt one of the highlights of the entire record. Everything from the opening guitar slides to the handclaps and that almighty chorus backed by Jim Thomas’ vocal range – it’s the perfect introduction to the sound that Natives are mastering, and gives fans a clear insight as to what to expect from the album.

There’s nothing really bad to say about ‘Indoor War’, if you want to be really picky you could possibly say that the interlude is slightly unnecessary and ‘L.O.V.E’ seems a little offbeat compared to the other songs. That aside, the album is 11 tracks of feel good pop-rock with a hidden depth and emotion amongst its words.

The pinnacle of the entire album comes in the form of ‘The Horizon’, from the very first drumbeat, it’s like the track has been injected with another burst of life. Slick guitar tones, a hint of jingling instruments and a middle 8 that will have everyone reaching for the nearest drum or tambourine to join in with the sheer joy that is brought through the song.

Natives are a band that are creating a sound that can appeal to so many, ‘Indoor War’ has got enough pop choruses to fill the needs of a younger fan base, yet show off their skilled musicianship in a way that will only gain them further respect within the rock/punk genres. At a time when many bands are struggling with creative differences and disappearing, this is the perfect time for Natives to step through and prove that the spirit is still very much alive.

TAMSYN WILCE

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