Album Review: The Horn – People Like Us

The Horn release their long awaiting debut album, ‘People Like Us’, as they continue to built on the hype surrounding their infectious and fresh indie-rock sound. With three years of meticulous work and a lineup of talented musicians, the band presents a collection of songs that deliver on their potential.

Opening with ‘Do It Now’, the band quickly introduce their tight infectious blend of guitar based indie-rock and synth elements akin to The Strokes. Led by the boxy, relaxed yet pointed vocal delivery, the track is a great example of the bands ability to craft infectious indie anthems.

The rebellious spirit continues with ‘Another Way’ follows, again offering a glimpse into their swaggering charisma and energetic, synth and guitar blending soundscapes, even capturing an element of Hot Chip within the movement of the tracks melodies. One of the album’s highlights, the heartfelt and beautifully constructed ‘Too Many Moments’ captures the softer side of the bands sound with some brilliantly thought-out guitar riffs and an excellently constructed chord structure.

The nostalgic “Passion” takes us on a trip back to the impulsivity and excitement of early adulthood, resurrected from Nick True’s earlier career with the 1980s band Friends of Gavin. The album seamlessly weaves through various themes, from the reflective and subdued “50 Years After” to the punchy and energetic “Power Shows,” a call to be wary of authority figures’ motives.

Later into the album the album’s title track, ‘People Like Us’, echos the album’s core message of seeking acceptance without sacrificing individuality over a elegant indie-pop backdrop, delivering some of the more commercial moments of the album.

’50 Years After’, an acoustic guitar led, stripped number delicately treads through another dimension to the band’s sound, closing with a brilliant guitar solo. This reflective tone is carried into ‘Always Late’ before ‘Power Show once again returns to the bands upbeat, indie-rock sensibilities.

Closing with ‘Department Of Fate’ the band close out the album with a swaying beauty that grows into a stunning, atmospheric sea of beautiful overlapping melodies.

Produced by Danny Monk and Danton Supple (known for their work with Coldplay and Elbow), ‘People Like Us’ was recorded at RAK Studios. The spotless production across the album allows the band’s writing to shine, and that it does! Capturing their full potential and sounding like a band which has been been filling stadiums for years. An expert display in crafting emotive, yet accessible and commercially viable indie-rock.

Listen below: