In the absence of getting off my backside and forming a band when I was young, I like to imagine what a shocking impact I would have made with my imaginary band members. A shocking name would cover up for a shocking lack of talent. “Hello, Wembley…We’re Rat Cancer, and this is a new track called ‘I Know Your Mum’…”
But that ship has sailed, and my time is better spent listening to Detour, who formed at Exeter College last year, and whose second single ‘On The Road’ is as sweet and wistful as fellow Exeter artist Liang Lawrence’s work. No gimmicks, no excessive noise, just pure talent. ‘On The Road’ begins with an ascending guitar riff that’s as light as a bee nuzzling a flower. Lyrics such as “I’ve been looking for something to make me smile / Something like you” are gorgeous without accompaniment, but when sung by Himaya Leigh, their loveliness approaches the level of ‘Here, There and Everywhere’.
“I’ve been told that nostalgia’s a lie / So take me back on the road,” Leigh sings on the harmonised chorus, a cello line tugging on your heart. Their EP (also to be released by Golden Mare Recording Co.) will hopefully contain even more instances of irresistible chamber pop. Fans of Belle and Sebastian, fans of Stereolab: this is the gentlest of warnings to take a new yet familiar trip by listening to Detour.
‘On The Road’ is out on 7th September via Golden Mare Recording Co.
Review by Neil Laurenson
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