The latest in a spate of Heist or Hit signings from the prosperous Manchester scene, The Slow Country are honing in on their nostalgic, tenderhearted ‘slacker folk’ sound.
Slowly blossoming like the first intrepid buds of spring peeking through the grey, ‘Firing Line’s subtle instrumental build swathes the listener with the same warmth as a heartfelt hug from a dear old friend. The new track from the Manchester-via-London seven-piece draws on the sonic sensitivities of early noughties indie, marrying lucid, anthemic rock structures with a garden of verdant folk instrumentation. Produced by Bill Ryder Jones and featuring single artwork from Hugo Winderlind (of Radio Anorak & The New Eves) too, as a complete package, ‘Firing Line’ is a tasteful, polished proposition. Balancing flair with a clear artistic vision, and simplicity with that all-important sprinkle of The Slow Country magic, the sky might just be the limit for this bunch.
Lead singer and guitarist Charlie Smith elaborates on the track’s themes: ”To me, Firing Line is about anxiety, depression and self-pity, and the repetitive lifestyle they can create. When those feelings hit, they almost feel like an act of violence against oneself. When you’re in the throes of anxiety and depression, you don’t notice the beauty in the world around you. We wanted to highlight this through the juxtaposition between the blunt lyrics and the (hopefully) epic music that surrounds them.”
Photo by Xander Lewis
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