Drawing us in with a series of reverberating electric arpeggios and a compressed vocal, Underlowe open No Pictures with a memory and the lyrics, “So he said, do you remember when I, I lost my thought, got caught day dreaming…”. We immediately connect with the hypnotic and stripped-back nature of the production which has a vintage indie-pop feel.
The track expands into a bold alternative rock energy with fierce guitars and a more assertive lyrical energy. The high-octane vibes that transmute remind us of iconic 2000s bands like Good Charlotte, Green Day, and Blink-182 whilst also tapping into its own contemporary identity. We love the ebbs and flows of the production, keeping us enthralled throughout.
No Pictures also comes with a brilliantly directed music video by Sam Harris, which featured the band embodying their message with charm and playful charisma. The camera angles and cinematography are dope and creative, whilst the overall set up feels relatable, raw and authentic.
In essence, No Pictures is about living in the moment without the burden of constant social media validation. This is a really zeitgeist and relatable message. It reminds us to be present in the moment and allow ourselves to exist without constantly documenting or performing your life for others.
We appreciate the intricate production notions throughout, from the filtered vocals and layered clean guitars of the cold open to the double-tracked guitars and bass that help create a huge sonic landscape. There is a clear connection to the pop-punk notions of the 2000s and the production sensibilities are also inspired by Turnstile and Jack White.
For some context, Underlowe are a Cardiff-based rock outfit built around years of musical chemistry and shared history. Jacob Dennis brings 18 years of guitar experience alongside his work as a producer and Cardiff University music graduate, whilst Alfie Mac contributes bass, lead vocals and lyrics after five years of collaboration with Jacob. Isaac Walker brings thunderous drumming to the equation, channeling heroes such as John Bonham and Keith Moon, whilst newest member Keaton Lammy, a former church gospel keyboard player, introduces an additional dimension through keys and vocals.
We could imagine No Pictures landing a sync placement in a coming-of-age film like Incoming or I Want Your Sex, and if you want to catch them live, Underlowe are set to perform at The Fleece in Bristol on 6th September. Naturally, we have added No Pictures to our New Music Spotlight playlist and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Underlowe’s debut single, Carpark.