Hoodlums - Dark Horses

Hoodlums make big music. Make no mistake about it, the London based group certainly have lofty ambitions - and their second single ‘Dark Horses’ is an anthemic piece of pop rock that sounds custom built for arenas and wide open expanses.

A stately piano line runs throughout, getting bigger and bigger as it goes on. Despite its blustery sound and rather clichéd lyrics of empowerment, there is a wide-eyed charm to the track that keeps it just on the right side of overblown. Singer Lou Vainglorious puts in a strong vocal performance and his falsetto is a highlight as the band career towards the rousing finale.

B-side ‘Ends Of The Earth’ is a rather more straight-ahead piece of melodic pop that lacks the soaring quality of the A-Side. It appears that Hoodlums are at their best when they let their youthful exuberance run free.

There is certainly nothing unique here but in terms of widescreen indie pop with a strong melodic sensibility, Hoodlums do it better than most.