Blue straggler stars are known lovingly in the astronomy community as “the weird grandparents of the galaxy.” And there’s an argument that the deliciously fuzz-laden “fuzz pop bangers” of West Sussex trio Blue Stragglers share some common ground with their astronomical counterparts.
The trio offer up an action-packed sound that they describe as “fuzzed up, hook-laden, earworm-filled rock’n’roll” that, like their hydrogen-fuelled pals, continues to keep burning even when it should have faded away.
In the band’s words, they are: “Three music lovers from West Sussex who’ve spent too long playing together to do anything else, or ever stop playing together for that matter.”
The trio released their second EP Fool’s Errand on Friday (10 November). It opens up with the laid-back intro to Driverside, which soon bursts into big guitars supporting engaging vocals. A funky little riff comes in and mellow verses are countered by big catchy choruses and driving fuzzy guitars. That’s followed by the delicious Running It Dry, which starts with palm-muted stabs that usher in a cool little lick and vocals. A verse is supported by bubbling guitars that flow into a big chorus led by the catchy “do-do-do” vocals and guitars. Midway through the pace drops bar an echoey guitar lick, then repeats of “Your life, You just waste your life” build up to a sweeping guitar solo to set up a big conclusion. Check it out here:
Next up is the title track, which opens up with engaging high-pitched vocals and tense drums that explode into life with big crushing guitars that you can’t help but love. The chorus sees repeats of “You’ve got to keep going” and drops into a return of the high-pitched vocals with a cool little high-pitched lick that flow into another big chorus. Check it out in the video below:
If big fuzzy guitars are your thing then you’ll love the sound of Reactor, on which a big chunky riff supports engaging vocals before flowing into a chorus. It also features a really cool guitar solo as the song powers towards a lively outro. Penultimate track Time Together is a little gem of a track with a big catchy chorus “Let’s waste some time together.” But its real attraction is a chilled-out section exploding into life with a wild guitar solo and driving guitars and drums setting up a big atmospheric outro. The EP closes out with the excellently named and deliciously catchy Existential Crisis In A Nightclub.
Speaking ahead of the EP launch, the band told us: “We’re too excited if anything! Expect bigger choruses, crazier solos, more gigs and more pints in the air to go along with the new tunes. I think it’s the most realised collection of songs we’ve put to vinyl in terms of continuity, whilst still remaining true to the serve of the song, be it through jagged lines or white noise aesthetic. A motto that’s been there since day one.”
The Blue Stragglers sound is influenced by “anything old or new that’s from the soul and ripping,” from Wilco to Bad Nerves. And on what inspires them to write music, the band explains: “Music is our religion; we play every week and sometimes the inspiration door cracks ajar and you either stop and grab it before it closes or wait for the next gust of wind to see where it takes you. I’m at my happiest when I never miss a door slam – that’s the aim. Themes and topics are for the listener to ascertain themselves, whatever they think it’s about they are not wrong, it’s all subjective even if they are wrong!”
Blue Stragglers’ new EP Fool’s Errand is out now through Hassle Records. The band just played an EP launch at the Black Heart in Camden, from which they tell us they’re probably still recovering. But they will also have a debut album coming out next Spring followed by a tour and some “cheeky festivals” so keep your eye out for plenty more shortly.
And the band adds: “We live for the moment, play like it’s our last gig and have managed to capture that vibe on the latest EP. So, if that’s your hive, jump on the glory train with us, all are welcome!”
You can follow Blue Stragglers on Facebook and Instagram, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Amazon Music and Deezer.
Image credit: Derek Bremner
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