Forget about what you knew
about indie pop/rock. The genre which is being reinvented by artists all across
the world has come under scrutiny for not being edgy enough - when electronics
have taken over what was a guitar dominating British sound. Brighton's newest
quartet Lion Bark are wise to this, and bridge the gap from the electronic side
of rock music, to the more gritty and damning side you expect to find at a pub
in Camden. They're part of the ever growing Brighton music scene which has
ousted Fear of Men, Esben & The Witch, and Novella in the last few years.
"Longhorns" is taken from Lion Bark's upcoming debut EP (TBA). It's
bares a resemblance to their first release "Two Prongs" which
surfaced late last year. Where "Two Prongs" excelled in easy
listening surf rock, "Longhorns" excels even further in that field.
Lion Bark are a relaxing quartet, you don't expect them to rock out with
distortion, and "Longhorns" is a testimony to that. It brings back memories
of the early 00s, when britpop was dying and alternative rock still seemed to
have a chance, or even a place in a record collection before being titled under
some vivid subgenre. "Longhorns", like Lion Bark as an artist, is
like a Stereophonics / Wild Beasts hybrid, incredibly British, but even more accessible.
I expect there's more to come from this exciting seaside outfit, and it shall
be a grower.
~Eddie Gibson
