Is the Dundee music scene on the rise? I think the definitive answer to this is yes for a number of reasons. With a vibrant array of fresh local bands and also DJs mounting upon Dundee’s best-known venues once more, after not so long ago being labelled a ghost town, it is apparent that the city of Discovery is cultivating and fashioning a lot more of its local talent to be discovered at present and for the foreseeable future. In addition, for a music scene to be labelled as being ‘on the rise’, it is essential that diversity in music taste/genre is prevalent throughout. Looking back at memorable music scenes in the past such as Manchester and Camden back in the 90’s, artists such as The Happy Mondays, Inspiral Carpets, Pulp and Lush are all well known for their own distinctive sound and traits as artists – key to the success of these music scenes at the time. Fast forward to 2018 here in Dundee, musicians as young as 16 are already attracting considerable crowds with their musical aptitude bringing vitality and vibrancy along with them. Are The Love Affair set to become another shareholder in this seemingly exponential local music enterprise?
Featuring Ray McKinnon (vocals/rhythm guitar), Robbie Young (lead guitar), Liam McIntosh (bass guitar) and Kieran Mitchell (drums), The Love Affair’s music is inspired by a variety of artists from Talking Heads to The Beatles. ‘I Can’t Help It’ offers listeners an insight into the band’s gritty yet light and dreamy aura in this well-balanced, uplifting, guitar based pop debut single. Opening with a distorted, attention grabbing guitar riff with a tone as though it is being strum out from the likes of Angus Young’s Gibson SG, this riff becomes the hook for the remainder of the track bringing you right back down to earth every so often from the airy, more spacious verses featuring acoustic guitar and subtle, reverb filled lead guitar. With the addition of vocals, the contrast between verse and chorus and its effectiveness is heightened a step further. Ranging from captivating solo lines in the verses to the proficient implementation of harmonies throughout the choruses, the vocal narrative describes an almost ostentatious but undeniably flamboyant and unashamed proclamation of selfishness which the figure admits, ‘Well, I can’t help it…’. This confidence felt in the lyrics seeps throughout the track across all instruments – notably on drums in which Kieran, who happens to also be the current drummer in the Kyle Falconer band, puts in a solid, dynamically sound effort throughout which is reminiscent of The Beatles’ Ringo at times as although the rhythm is not very complex in the track, it does not need to be unnecessarily over complicated to sound the part which has certainly been effective in this case. In addition, the band’s use of guitar track layering and effects notably in the second verse and last chorus sections, is of a great standard which adds texture and noticeable variation to the track. All in all, if this debut single is anything to go by I will be sure to look out for The Love Affair in the near future as I am sure they will soon be on stage around local music venues very soon.
For more on The Love Affair, be sure to check out their social media pages (links below).
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