As a Manchester guitar band initially starting out, there’s a pathway to success already carved out by the legends that came before you. The Smiths’ melancholy was always given a boost by Marr’s jangly rhythms, Oasis’ britpop brilliance set the standard for self-asserted swagger and confidence, and The 1975 have proved that clever and witty pop will always be contagious.
For all who dare to come afterwards, there will always be those falling into the pit of trying their best to emulate their idols, while forgetting to forge their own sound and identity in the process. For fellow Manc born Delights, it was important for them to not end up as just another indie band. That’s clear from the first few moments on their debut album with the first track, ‘Silk Skin’. An acoustic opener, by all accounts, is not the typical way to blow away a listener while you have their initial attention. But what it does instead is show a band who have a clear ear for an intricate melody, and individuals having a shared vision. As the opener comes to an end, there isn’t a rush to build to a career-defining crescendo or an insurmountable amount of noise. It simply fades out, and invites you in for the rest of what is to come. In truth, it’s something that is hard to say no to.
For the next eleven tracks that follow, not every single punch thrown lands. But at no point do Delights pretend to be something they aren’t, a feat rare for a debut album. Follow-up ‘What’s On Your Mind’ quickly picks up the pace and introduces a common theme for the remaining runtime – a simply great chorus. Lead singer Adam Maxwell’s performance and the rest of the band’s backing vocals often steal the show as they do here, often bending their voicing effortlessly to whatever mood is required. ‘Two Times Over’ takes a note from the Inhaler songwriting book with its chunky bass lines and infectious percussion. As each track flows by it becomes increasingly apparent that Delights aren’t just boys in a bedroom jam with hopes and dreams but also increasingly talented musicians. The lush piano featured in ‘The Way Things Used To Be’ shows a range in their talent, meanwhile the 1-2 combo of ‘Hotel Lobby’ into ‘Hotel Bar’ is an absolute standout. Despite acting as an instrumental jam before the main event, the grooves heard on ‘Lobby’ almost risk of stealing the show, and don’t sound far off of what Bruno Mars and Anderson P.A.A.K would knock up together – a funk and jazz combo that feels unheard of for a Manchester band. When the party moves from the lobby to the bar however, the result is infectious and moving, and a slice of pop-writing brilliance.
As the 12-string of ‘Adore Her’ wraps things up, it’s easy to get wrapped up with a bit of excitement as to what you’ve just heard. Vocal melodies accompany the track from start to finish, and with mostly everything else stripped back, the track feels intimate and true to its own nature. ‘If Heaven Looks A Bit Like This’ feels like a genuine introduction to who these boys are, and what they can become. A fresh voice, and hopefully with care and experience, one that can continue to mature and grow.
Words by Niall McGreevy