VALA, the indie-rock/dream-pop quartet from Manchester, have had many successes, including a successful UK tour & a live session on BBC Radio 2 for Jo Wiley.
They return with ‘Forever’, which is taken from their upcoming EP, and also features a stunning video filmed atop a snow-covered Helvellyn mountain in the Lake District.
It starts with a delicate, lo-fi guitar sound which has a slight tremolo effect – it’s very distinctive, and adds a nice character to the track.
An understated, shuffling rhythm from Matt Hill carries things along really well. There’s a head-bobbing throwback energy, and some nice, off-beat fills. The bright rhythm guitar is a constant, shimmering presence.
The vocal delivery of Joe Knowles’s is restrained and controlled, allowing the rise and fall of the upbeat melody to shine through. It’s an intimate, close-up performance that draws us in and makes us listen.
With our defences down, the repeating motif will burrow into your head and stick around for days:
“If you walk away, I will love you forever….”
There’s a light touch here, and a boundless energy that shines through in every note.
This is exactly what a pop song should be – ruthlessly efficient with a home run of a hook.
Forever is out now.
Written by Grubby
