News A Night Underwater

: A Night Underwater
Based: Loughborough, UK
Listen: anightunderwater.bandcamp.com
Similar to: The National

Vivid lyrics often do the trick: ‘Bite your lip and soldier through’ is one of several notable one-liners that hook a listener’s swerving attention back into focus when playing the debut A Night Underwater album, ‘Departures’. Such a striking comparison, then, can already be drawn towards The National, a band who clearly influence this band. Each focus on poignant, romanticised lyrics, witty observations, all the while surrounding these vocals with a glowing array of textures and fluttering sounds. Vocalist David Whayman might not mimic the unique, deep baritone of Matt Berninger but similarities between the two are plain to see.

The debut album, available free on bandcamp, showcases one of almost a million examples of bands who put an incredible amount of work into what they do but somehow, they manage to escape plaudits or acclaim. It’s vaguely reminiscent of fellow First On favourites Flights, although, contrary to when we first featured them, it looks like they might be on their way to releasing their brilliant debut physically. Some 80 approximate likes on bandcamp does not amount to the recognition A Night Underwater deserve. Starting points on this album lie in the slow waltz beauty of ‘She’s A Giant (The Wedding)’ and the record’s stunning title-track.

Stream the entire album below:

Departures by A Night Underwater