Big September-Ballroom Addicts

As their name might suggest, Big September draw inspiration from ‘80s rock – of the reverb-drenched, melodramatic variety. While that includes stadium faves such as Simple Minds and Big Country, there are elements, too, of Bon Jovi and Vancouver legend Bryan Adams. Impressive production values are immediately apparent on their debut which combines tough riffs, pounding rhythms and memorable tunes. With frontman Scotty O’Neill driven by a clear sense of purpose, opener ‘Chakra Eyes’ contains the requisite rousing chorus and catchy melody, while ‘It’s All In Your Head’ wastes little time building momentum, combusting into a maelstrom of guitars and vocals over a thundering back-beat.
Last year’s radio-friendly singles ‘The Preacher’ and ‘Tear It All Up’ are both included, while current single ‘Righteous Way’, with its bring-it-up-bring-it-down-again tempo, is another well-constructed calling-card. ‘Moneyman’ boasts a Slash-like swagger but they tone it down a couple of notches on the introspective, slow-burning ‘Beat Of The Breeze’. It’s a rare moment of wistfulness on an album that, for the most part, rocks its socks off. Sure, it’s generic and probably unfashionable but this hard-working Bray outfit carry it all off with such unselfconscious enthusiasm, you’d have to be a churl not to be impressed.

OUT MAY 9