‘Indoor War’ is the long
awaited and highly anticipated debut album from Southampton rockers, Natives. It tells the story of a
character called Alvima who suffers a huge loss and can’t deal with the pain. He
decides that, from this moment on, he will live his life making decisions based
upon logic and science rather than emotions. Natives are renowned for an incredible live show, so we were eager
to hear what their debut offering would give us.
Click below to read out
review…
Fans have waited patiently for Natives to release a full length record and now everything seems to
have fallen perfectly into place, because the band’s debut is gutsy, anthemic
and definitely infectious. Piano led opener ‘War Inside of Me’ is a building
and confident neatly packaged anthem, perfectly setting the tone for the rest
of the record. This may be their debut, but they have paid their dues in
touring credentials and fans will recognise the next track, the infectious
‘This Island’ from their live set. With confidence in abundance, track by track
‘Indoor War’ is filled with big hitters that are crying out to be played to
festival sized audiences. Soaring new single ‘Can’t Say No’ is the perfect
upbeat pop rock tune, whilst ‘Let Go’ is heartfelt and rockier, proving how
multi-dimensional the five-piece is.
The first half of the album is exploring the tragic loss,
whilst the second half looks towards the future and light at the end of the
tunnel. ‘Big Plans’ envelopes that optimism in a huge rock anthem that builds
and builds, showing off Jim Thomas’ impressive vocal range. Emotive and honest,
‘Indoor War’ is filled with a diverse range of songs which pull in the bands
different influences. ‘The Horizon’ is a more stripped back, percussive, almost
folk-rock number; the feel good track is uplifting and invites the listener to
sing along. ‘For Everything’, the album’s final track, closes the record out in
the same vein in which it opened; honest, confident and awash with a huge
chorus and pop rock grit. Undeniably an ideal soundtrack to summer, the album
is a journey, one which ends on a high. The hard work has paid off; a long time
coming, but well worth the wait. 8.5/10
‘Indoor War’ is out today
