Glasgow’s This Familiar Smile have always been on my radar and having been impressed with the band’s demos, it’s good to see they’ve got a proper release out on Lockjaw. This EP showcases a My Awesome Compilation-meets-The Next Autumn Soundtrack kinda vibe, which switches from the delicate and melodic to something more vast and sprawling with the flick of a guitar pedal. Much more ambitious than their older material, the newer sound suits the band well. The songs are well thought out and constructed and the choruses stand out far better than before.
The vocal warbling on ‘ Rutherford Split The Atom’ sounds a little 36 Crazyfists-esque, although the music is more influenced by a more melodic – and less drugged up – The Mars Volta. It’s an impressive song, as they all are to be honest, and showcases a talented band not afraid to flex their technical muscles. ‘An Ode To The Bomb’ is a keeper too, as is ‘Love Is An Anchor That Drowns A Man’, which shows a musical maturity that will undoubtedly stand them in good stead for the future. A nice solid release and one well worth picking up.