After a cracking gig at the Night And Day last Thursday, we were handed a copy of The Formative Year's current EP - a selection of four of their ear-friendly songs, leading off with the particularly memorable Don't Let Go.
With champion riffs and an insanely danceable beat, the lead track is definitely my favourite - worthy of a top 40 single or better, with a little more professional polish. Make no mistake, though - the production is very slick, the vocals are perfect and the imperfections amount to a couple of slightly out beats, and (to my ear, at least) slightly out levels on some of the tracks - but this is perhaps me just being picky.
After the fantastically upbeat 'Don't Let Go', the second and third tracks are a little more ballad-y, and perhaps a little less rollicking than the lead track, but worthy nonetheless, with some great lyrics and composition.
The fourth (and final) track is pure rock 'n roll, with a pounding bass drum and a beautiful crescendo over the chorus - a great end of the EP, and rounds off a set of songs marked by a clear talent.
Should The Formative Years continue to improve, bolster their repertoire with more great songs, I'd be very surprised if they don't do very well in 2007. They're touring over the North West until March, so be sure to catch them then.
What next?More by The Formative Years? More up and coming? More rock, or pop?