W.H. Lung, New Century. 16th November 2024

I’m not sure how this is going to go. I bumped into this lot at Bluedot a couple of years ago and was rather taken with them. They’ve stayed in my mind due to driving past the Chinese supermarket frequently, where they take their name from. In a world where everyone’s trying to get noticed, it’s as good a tactic as any. Digging back, I really enjoyed the first two records, but the new record hasn’t grabbed me yet. It’s only been out a few weeks, maybe it needs time. Or maybe I need to hear it live. It’s this that brings me to New Century. They’re on home turf and the locals have come out in support, if it’s not sold out, it’s damn close. The set has plenty of that cool electro pulse that first drew me in. It’s the sound of this city and they pick up the baton well. We start with ‘Lilac Sky’ that kicks off the new record and you know what, it’s great. Ethereal vocals sit on top of brooding synths, as live drums pound away and a wall of guitars melts the faces of those down the front. ‘Pearl in the Palm’ follows. The vocal keeps everything open and bright. I think I said this last time, but Joe (I think it’s Joe) reminds me of Perry Farrell. A comparison that probably works slightly less now. The sound beneath the vocals twists through dark brooding to euphoric indie disco banger. Indie is a catch all reference, but the new stuff does sounds a bit like the  straight up route one sort in places. Like on ‘Bliss Bliss’. The synths are dialled back in favour of the guitars. They still sound good, and Joe (let’s go with Joe) has a cracking range and he’s not afraid to show off, but it’s the first song that loses me a little. It all comes together on ‘Want’ from their debut. Thats not to say they’ve not got any better, but perhaps this is simply a long term favourite in the set. The guitars jangle on ‘Thinner Wine’, but there’s not much to get me excited. The problem is I just prefer them when they sound a bit darker I guess. ‘Second Death of My Face’ fairs better as they step back once again. With the drums driving, the synths soar and everyone’s set free. The bloke in the Nation of Language shirt in front of me is bloody loving it and rightly so. A stand out for me is ‘Nothing Is’. It builds slowly into an absolute room levitating monster. It’s teasing intro only making the payoff all the more glorious. It’s a real moment. Stunning really. The next few are all new and sound much better, mostly. ‘Bloom and Fade’ and ‘Painting of the Bay’ in particular sound massive as the heat in the room dials up several degrees. “This songs got guitars on it, it’s off the new record. It’s called ‘Hard to Walk’” says Joe though and that sums it up really, I’ve not much to add. I should say though that I’m pretty much in the pit and plenty around me are loving it. So take my lack lustre response to some of the new stuff with a pinch of salt, I’m in the minority here. ‘Showstopper’ too is heavy on guitars, but it works so much better with that driving rhythm and catchy chorus. Joe stalking the stage like a prize fighter as the strobes go mental. They sound a bit like Bodega on ‘Inspiration!’ which is no bad thing and LCD Soundsystem on ‘Set Fire to the House’. This closes the new record and the set. It is magnificent!! So, a few wobbles here and there, but still pretty great. If you’ve not yet come across them, you need to give them a listen. I might have to pop in to that supermarket one day too.