Music Review: Dance by Nocturnal Coast
M. J. Severn
Liverpudlian veterans of iridescent indie-rock/pop, Nocturnal Coast are at once storytellers and grassroots rock stars. Their individualised blend of classic rock ‘n’ roll and 90s-esque glittery grunge makes their new single, Dance, an irresistible listen.
Dance is simultaneously a floor-filler and a heart-wrenching lament to a love story on the rocks. The single’s lyrical hook is a unique twist on the usually quotidian theme of love lost: “And between you and me we danced… underneath our own last chance”. This hook paints a vibrant, emotive image as the instrumentation continues to swirl effortlessly between chorus and verse.
David Gavan’s guitar work sparkles with effervescence above the bassline and also cements the track into an addictive groove. Gavan’s jangly tone is compulsively listenable and assists the listener’s ears in being swept around the rim of Alex Cain’s crash cymbal. Cain’s crash cymbal may as well be a disco ball; his attentive rhythm and complimentary style twirls the listener around and around throughout the entirety of Dance.
Joe Murdoch’s assured bassline ensures that the nostalgic energy of the track keeps on rolling, the essential structure that underpins any good old-fashioned tale of love. After all, Dance represents “a story to tell many friends”. However, Nocturnal Coast’s single is anything but “obvious”; it is rare to hear such a confident cocktail of lyrical sentimentality, similar to that of Kodaline, and percussion-driven force. Dance is likely to remind the listener of Switchfoot’s 2004 alt-rock single Dare You to Move in regards to thoughtful poetic prowess accompanying thrashing choruses.
In Dance, Luke Saunders shows off his solid, passionate vocal style, a timbre that encompasses the dignity of Alex Turner and the ardency of Justin Young. Saunders remains true to his strong Liverpudlian accent, creating a powerful earworm with his driving, wistful melodies and undulating intonation.
Boasting a Top 20 spot on the iTunes Alt Chart, Dance is a definite indication that Nocturnal Coast are set to become rock-pop monoliths, displaying their versatility and trademark infectiousness. Join Nocturnal Coast’s 1.4K Facebook followers by liking their page and stream Dance now (links listed below).
Nocturnal Coast’s Facebook: Nocturnal Coast | Facebook
Nocturnal Coast’s Twitter: Nocturnal Joke (@nocturnalcoast) / Twitter
Nocturnal Coast’s Instagram: N҉o҉c҉t҉u҉r҉n҉a҉l҉ ҉C҉o҉a҉s҉t҉ (@nocturnalcoast) • Instagram
Upcoming gig: Honey Motel | Liverpool, Arts Club Loft at Arts Club, Liverpool on 22nd Oct 2021 | Fatsoma
© M. J. Severn 2021
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