They say that the best things come in small packages. Well that seems to be the case with the latest release, Evanescent, from The Utopiates. With a new album scheduled for later this year, this is 2 minutes 44 of experimental electro indie fun that builds on both Reputation and Neighbourhood, their first two teasers from it.
Produced by Andy Hawkins (Maximio Park, Pigeon Detectives) at The Nave in Leeds, the song style is somewhat unexpected in being part sung, part talked by vocalist Dan Popplewell. There’s a similarity here to their recording studio stablemates Yard Act, but with a very different edge.
It is the underpinning guitar work of Josh Redding alongside the intricate electronics that gives the track its tempo and direction and keeps it undeniably theirs. The band have always had that electro edge but it’s now more pronounced on their newer tunes, adding a fascinating complexity. Some of this defines the way that they are developing musically and some is, in part, because they are now operating as a three piece, at least for the time being. This was true when I last saw them at Brudenell Social Club in Leeds towards the end of last year. Given that the band was smaller on the night, the sound that they produced was actually bigger than at my previous experience of seeing them play at the same venue!
Evanescent continues the bands transition towards an even more energetic, high tempo anthemic product. It’s a song that builds from a reflective, spoken monologue to a buoyant chorus and closing verse. There’s a vibrancy and bounce about the song but with something of a melancholic undertone that matches the lyrics. The band themselves have labelled the song as ‘introspective’, which I guess is an accurate summary.
Whatever the genre it remains melodic, catchy and powerful throughout. It’s fast, it’s brief, but there’s a lot packed into its sub 3 minute journey that is underwritten by the sentiment ‘time waits for no man.’
The Utopiates continue to grow their followers and plaudits, including long time admirers Steve Lamacq (BBC) and John Kennedy (Radio X). These two alone have created much airtime for the band with Reputation gaining ‘record of the week’ status on both their shows.
Next month sees them setting out on a tour which is bound to give them an even wider reach and build a solid platform for the release of album two. I’m looking forward to catching them in Leeds.
2025 looks exceptionally promising for this London based, groove driven outfit. Check them out on tour, but first pre-save Evanescent from the link below! Keep an eye out too for their album which is scheduled for release later in the year.
Evanescent is released by V2 on 21st February.
https://linktr.ee/theutopiates
Duncan Grant
Old Man Blues 