86TVs: 86TVs – Album review

86TVs: 86TVs

(Parlophone Records)

Out now

Vinyl | CD | Digital

Buy it from  Sister Ray

Former Maccabees brothers Felix & Hugo White alongside third brother Will and drummer Jamie Morrison released their debut album this month full of big tunes that we imagine will soon be performed on huge stages in front of enthusiastic crowds.

It may be seven years since The Maccabees left the stage on the final night of three sold out shows inside the 10,000 capacity Alexandra Palace in North London, however it seems that the White Brothers Felix and Hugo have continued to write some big tunes that are as ready for similar size rooms as they are the small clubs in which some of us have been fortunate to witness recently. Alongside third brother Will and (former Stereophonics and Noisettes) drummer Jamie Morrison the band seem already set to continue where The Maccabees left off.

86TVs seem to have been patient enough to slowly hone these huge tunes that will define 2024 for many people. Before any of us know it we’ll be hugging our mates in fields singing along to every catchy, harmonious chorus just as many of us have been doing in front of many of our favourite big sellers over the past couple of decades such as Arcade Fire or The Strokes. These songs are huge.

The albums first track (and recent live opener) ‘Modern Life’ begins as a simple one chord strum that could have appeared on Coldplay’s debut (with the Polyphonic Spree on vocals) until more guitars join in to pretty much set the scene for the rest of an album that is full of euphoric, celebratory, joyous moments already waiting for tens of thousands to sing along to. 

Tambourine rattles away (maybe Strokes away?) reaching a chorus similar to those that we’ve been putting our pints down for when bands such as October Drift turn up and Days Of Sun (containing more huge sounding multiple voices) will make any listener automatically want to join in on the backing vocals before it concludes. New Used Cars features Jamie T (unless you have the vinyl or CD version that seems to have airbrushed the South Londoner out of the mix) and together they sing ‘Nothing lasts forever gotta live for today….’ probably with their arms around each other as they sing.

The band’s biggest tune to date, Higher Love is a huge live favourite already. This is surely a tune that will soon be drowned out by festival goers with their hands in the air in front of huge stages. If there’s a more euphoric crowd pleasing anthem that’s been released this year by anyone else then we’d like to hear it.

The beautiful Komorebi is the most maudlin tune on this. “loved you through thick and thin, lost you the further we went” …goes the refrain. It’s the band’s  ‘Fix You’. In its accompanying video, tennis legend John McEnroe plays the part of 86TVs’ therapist. Tears all around.

Early single Worn Out Buildings is another song that 86TVs will never be allowed to stop playing live. Rousing voices, Life affirming lyrics, words we all need to be hearing at some stage of our lives.

 ‘…. don’t have to be yourself right now….Just give it time you’ll work that out …..’   

Pipe Dream is a simple verse chorus, verse chorus , middle bit, chorus and all over in a little over three minutes. The best length any tune should be and this album isn’t short of these.

This debut may be full of songs that can easily be compared to those we’ve heard before but are fresher, more euphoric (the vocals on this are as strong as you’ll hear all year) and still available to witness in rooms where the whites of the White brothers’ eyes can still be seen.

Another band to fall in love with and a debut that one imagines will take them close to one or two festival headline appearances before the decade is over.

Find 86TV’s via their LinkTree

Words by Keith Goldhanger. More writing by Keith on Louder Than War can be found at his author’s archive. You can also find Keith on Facebook and Twitter (@HIDEOUSWHEELINV).