If you’ve spent any of your time at tiny gigs down local pubs in the South, you’ll have heard a lot of music like this: unmistakably English voices (none of those faux American accents), realist lyricism, and a combination of emo and math rock tendencies that result in charming, accessible pop songs.
Each song on itoldyouiwouldeatyou’s new five track EP ‘Don’t Cheer Up’ is simple and unfussy. In this case, the simpler the better. Stand out track ‘All Unwritten Classes’ has a fairly standard structure of a skipping verse with a slightly quicker and louder chorus, but it more than works. Reminiscent of Sam Isaac and Luke Leighfield, there’s a pop song in there somewhere.
‘Word and Object’ is a little different. A drum only intro, flickering guitars, and a heartbreakingly honest portrayal of a break up makes for a substantial emo song. There’s no optimism around here, guys.
‘For Starters’ shows another different sound and combines a mournful verse with a frenetic, electronic outro. Even ‘Learning From American Mistakes’ changes direction again as a sweet, romantic ballad and ‘Asking Directions’ draws on pop-punk influences. The band have said “the songs are about feeling weird and self-conscious for no good reason,” a sentiment reflected in a sound that isn’t confidently placed in one genre.
itoldyouiwouldeatyou are the kind of guys you want to root for with lyrics that anyone could relate to and an unpolished sound that’ll translate well to live shows. It’s the kind of music you’d want to hear on a lazy day at a festival, when none of the bands you want to see are playing and you’re on the search for something new.
KATHRYN BLACK