After a short while away, SPQR are back with their artsy-rock sound which has become a trademark for the band over the years. The new track ‘Fault Lines’ follows their debut album Ribbons which was released in August 2020, and with that being so well received it makes this song all the more enticing.
‘Fault Lines’ starts out with a straight drum beat combined with some lightly distorted guitars and some shimmering instrumentals. This builds up a mini state of chaos until lead singer Peter Harrison chimes in with his clear and calm voice, making a perfect contrast to musicality of the track. This reminds me of Jack Steadman and the contrast of his vocals bring to Bombay Bicycle Club’s sound, the instrumentals could be in the stratosphere but the vocals remain grounded.
You can tell the band have been together for quite sometime as their sound is tight and refined. This can be heard best in the chorus as the wicked pace picks and starts to throw you around, but coming out the chorus it instantly drops with no break and it’s so crisp.
As the song draws to a close, you might be sitting there waiting for a wild finish with whirring guitars but SPQR go the other way. They slowly bring song down and to a close and it’s perfect. Excited to see SPQR back out there, and looking forward to see what the rest of 2021 brings for the band!
Photo Credit: Liam Powell