Oxford-based five-piece band Suspire is back with the release of their debut EP. Taking influence in the city’s vibrant music scene, they offer a nostalgic nod to the heyday of Britpop. All the while blending infectious melodies with introspective lyricism that captures the essence of modern life.
Their debut EP ‘A Safe Place’ introduces us to the sound that characterizes them, merging old-school influences with a fresh twist.
It starts with “Grow” – just when I thought it would be the typical indie rock song, the band proved me wrong by adding some beautiful piano notes in the middle.
Next up is “Mind-Numbing Television”, the drums steal the spotlight from the guitar riffs of the previous track. The song is upbeat, fast-paced and I must admit that’s my favorite from the whole EP. I think I even caught a harmonica toward the end of the song.
“Sweetness” lives up to its name with a softer and sweeter atmosphere. Here, the focus shifts to the vocalist, whose vocals turns the song into a melancholic love letter.
All the songs on ‘A Safe Place’ are between four to six minutes, which is great and breaks the current trend of songs under three minutes. We are reaching the two last songs, which are over 6 minutes, which may be a bit too long though as they are a bit repetitive.
I loved the beginning of “Pleasure Crusade” which starts as an ambient song. When I believed it would be a chill and maybe instrumental track, it turned into an indie song, true to the band’s style. The intro is a bit long, with the first vocals coming only from 1:22, but since the song is lengthy, I guess it makes sense.
Closing the EP is “Another Universe”. It kicks off as an acoustic track, and then the piano blends with the guitar. The singer’s harmonies in the background give an ethereal feeling. To my surprise, the drums kick in the middle and again, turn it into a completely different song. The chorus is impressive, giving a choir-like feeling while the instrumentation also gives a feeling of urgency. It is a nice way to end the EP with something different.
Overall, ‘A Safe Place’ is a strong debut from Suspire. With their nostalgic yet fresh take on Britpop, Suspire made an EP that both honors their influences and showcases their unique sound in today’s music scene.
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