Manchester’s Big Society melt the sleazy and the tender together on debut single ‘17’

Every weekday, DIY’s new music know-it-all Neu brings you one essential new release to get obsessed with. Today’s Neu Pick comes from Big Society.

Manchester quartet Big Society say they make music about being “young, knackered and naive,” but on their debut single ‘17’ - today’s Neu Pick - it’s channelled in massive, joyous ways.

‘17’ is a gorgeous melting together of sleazy riffs lathered in distortion and something altogether more tender. Rather than becoming an all-encompassing behemoth of riff-worship, ala QOTSA, the track is given space to become something altogether roomier and more anthemic, helped along the way by soft, considered vocals that rise and fall with ease.

The track is further lifted out of the darkness by harmonised guitar riffs(!) that feel like they belong in a Thin Lizzy song but fit perfectly into Big Society’s make-up.

We’re only one track in, but it feels like there might be something special here. Listen to ‘17’ below.