After the release of their debut album, Liverpool band Joe Symes & The Loving Kind toured all over the UK performing their material from their self-titled album. They have played some major support slots including Steve Cradock (Ocean Colour Scene/Paul Weller), The Blockheads, Dodgy, XTC, Bloc Party and Alt-J, headlining Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Aftershow Party. In addition to this they have played the Festival circuit, and have come to the attention of Creation Management’s Alan McGee. Their album was well received in America, with magazine and airplay all over the world.

 ‘SCOUSEDELLIA’ – ALAN MCGEE, CREATION

The release of their last double A side single ‘Things Get Better/I’m Gonna Find Out Someday’, showcased how they have progressed with increasingly energetic live performances and a heavier sound; but still kept their distinctive feel found on the first album. ‘Things Get Better’ attracted attention at home and abroad, BBC Introducing, being played at Anfield (Liverpool Football Club) on match days, and major international airplay.

In 2016, the band were asked to play Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Aftershow Party once again at the 02 Academy Liverpool, as well as featuring on LFC TV (Liverpool Football Club’s official TV station) Bay TV’s Arts Alive show, and Radio City Talk (105.9 FM). Last summer they performed at festivals around the U.K alongside bands such as Dave McCabe (The Zutons), Space, The Icicle Works, and The Christians, and have commenced work on their long awaited second album which will be released towards the end of 2017; recently working on the album at Peter Gabriel’s Solid State Logic Studios in Oxfordshire.

They recently released their Acoustic Variations EP. Here’s my review of the latest release from Joe Symes & The Loving Kind.

Fine Line – has a fast tempo, husky vocals, cheery strumming of guitars and is a catchy song. It’s a very upbeat tune and I like the percussion, it helps to make it sound very cheerful. It’s very Britpop with good harmonies and a sing a long infectious chorus. I like the ‘live’ sound.

You’re Not Coming Back Tomorrow – the live in the studio sound makes this tune sound quite atmospheric. The song features a sweeping but gentle melody with sway along gentler and softer vocals. It’s a slower paced song but still catchy and infectious nonetheless.

No Turning Back – again has a gentle stripped back start, this song moves along at a slower pace. It’s a melancholy song about love lost and the pain of missing that person with lyrics such as ‘my future is in the past’ and ‘there’s no way forward and there’s no turning back’. It’s an understated and gentle song, easy listening.

This is a really good EP from this talented band from Liverpool. It’s very likeable and easy to listen to. Understated and very well done.

They have some gigs coming up as part of a Spring Mini Tour over the next few months which you can get more details of from their website. Here’s the link to the new EP: Acoustic Variations EP