Eugene McGuinness - Lion

Eugene McGuinness has been ploughing the indie pop furrows of the UK for a good few years now with a lot of critical acclaim but very little mainstream success. Eugene’s face may be a recognisable one for anybody who has seen Miles Kane perform live this year, as he’s been a part of his backing band; luckily, as the first single from his second album, ‘Lion’ should mean he never needs to tread the boards as a session musician again.

‘Lion’ is a terrific piece of whip smart punk rock. The music is taut and strident and the driving rhythms are a great match for McGuinness’ manic vocal delivery. There is a real intensity as the track steamrollers its way through its three minutes; it is all supremely exciting stuff.

It appears that ‘Lion’ has heralded a new focus and sense of purpose in Eugene McGuinness’ music and, if the rest of the forthcoming album is as exciting as this excellent single, then we may be looking at a new star.