A band should know when they’re in good company, especially when that company includes people like Julian Simmons – who has produced records for Midlake and Guillemots (and, er, Ed Sheeran) – and Rich Woodcraft, who has previously mixed things for Radiohead, Neil Young and Arctic Monkeys. The Shutes [Facebook/Soundcloud] clearly do, and they make music to match: grandiose and swelling with a wonderful melodic bent. The Isle of Wight-based band, led by Michael Champion, create ambitious indie rock and infuse it with psychedelic and surf flourishes, and this is clearly audible on the title track from their Echo of Love EP, which arrives in a fortnight, seeing release on April 2nd via Cross Keys Recordings. The song is driven by a soaring riff and deceptively simple drumming, opening up over the course of its five minutes to reveal the arrival of a serious talent, Champion’s impressive voice guiding the song towards its life-affirming chorus. Since having this band brought to my attention, I’ve invetigated their earlier material, and Echo of Love confirms that they are indeed getting better and better, so you can consider my appetite well and truly whetted for the EP.
