Scottish alt-rockers Flair release debut self-titled EP

Reviewsalt-rock

11 Dec

the 2019-formed band launch with a gritty three-track collection

Following the release of their haunting single ‘Run Away’ in August, the band return with their debut self-titled EP, that fixes its heart firmly to its sleeve. Exploring heartbreak, rejection and unrequited love, the EP is a three-stop journey of renewal and transformation, reminding us that it is always darkest before the dawn.

Running Cobra Promotions (formerly RuaMedia) for several years now, we have become warmly accquainted with a range of indie and alternative bands from Scotland, but it is Flair’s darkness that (ironically) seems to shine the brightest. The band’s sound sits on the alt-rock side of things, although it could stand in it’s own uber gritty indie-rock corner should it so wish. The band’s unique brand can be credited to a number of characteristics that are presented across the EP: Their use of wailing, delayed guitars, a slightly gravel-toned vocal delivery, and use of swelling, open space that most bands can’t help but fill. Flair understand and are very much attentive to the impact of their sound, prioritising effectivity over busyness, in a market that doesn’t need more busyness.

In lead single and opening track of the EP, ‘Runaway’, the band’s use of a bed of reverb, delayed guitars and an ear-perking broken beat on the kit carves quite a memorable introduction to what is important debut release and simultaneous conclusion to their biggest year yet. Succeeding track ‘Swan’, offers a change of pace both musically and emotionally, and is more of a poignant but stylistic middle mast that holds the EP. Lyrically, it explores the complex emotions associated with a lost love, despite the negative emotional impact of the relationship. From their small but mighty discography so far, the band appear to be fond of anchoring, or perhaps juxtaposing, heavy lyric settings with a sound steeped in purpose and drive. Their comfort navigating this balance is also what helps set their strong foundation.

Final track, ‘Saccharine’ embodies aspects of its predecessors, but brings its own voice to proceedings. The band explain that, in terms of arrangement, they wanted to experiment by moving away from the traditional verse-chorus-verse structure, and let things develop as they felt right. It proves itself as a secure, final lift to the EP.

Flair are a band I have been excited to see launch for a number of months now, first introduced to me by their manager Daniel Sedgwick of Revo Pro management. They’ve set the stage, left the crowd wanting more, and are in an excellent place for 2025. No doubt already brewing some new ideas for the first quarter of the year, I can’t wait to see them take their dense sound to the next level, anticipating that there’s much more power in the tank than what they’ve teased here.

An effortlessly cool-headed debut from a soon-to-be leading name in Scottish alt-rock.