The Clause: Fever Dream - 'A Perfect blend of Social Commentaries and Accessibility'!

Amidst a vibrant explosion of the alternative soundscape, where the spectrum is broad to say the least, the scene has seen an emergence of bands which have produced a distinctive signature to set themselves aside from their counterparts. The market for this discourse is heavily centered in the metropolitan boroughs of London and cities in the North West, where catchment continues to be a key driver of the indie heartbeat.

Enter The Clause, who haven't just etched their name into the 2024 history books, but they have showcased that it is still possible to amalgamate raw authenticity and localised influence with unique musical flair. With their origins in Birmingham, the boys from the West Midlands have emancipated the area's drought in producing promotable talent, rearing their heads as the new kids on the block.

Building on the success of their 2023 Release Pop Culture, The Clause now brings us their highly anticipated string of singles for their forthcoming EP, Weekend Millionaire, due out this summer. Lead single Take Me Home was released on April 24th and Fever Dream will be available to the public this Friday.

The vibes we can deduce from Take Me Home are almost a throwback to early Enemy tracks such as Technodancephobic, with pacey drum beats and punchy riff's at the song's core. Lyrically, vocalist Pearce Macca cynically explores one-night stands, and how they border on an "unnatural" interaction; he hammers home that lust often overrides moral considerations in the end after too much "making eyes". This tonal contrast with contemplative lyrics in the verses allow the message to take center stage, compounding a personal yet universal and widely relatable feeling.

Take Me H0me see's a slight sonic shift from the Pop Culture EP where the band incorporated a keys and synth layer to their music to underpin an (you guessed it) 80's Synth-Pop aura, with a flicker of Duran Duran and a hint of ABBA present in the highlight track Hate The Player. Fear not, this sound Clause fans have become refreshingly familiar with has not been abandoned by any means; remnants of synth melody-lines are littered across the chorus of Fever Dream. Guitarist, Liam Deakin, accompanies this with one of his blues-driven trademark riff's at an octave lower to really elevate this section, displaying his ability to lure listeners at the indie disco away from the bar and onto the dancefloor.

Like its predecessor, 'Fever Dream' follows a thematic approach, with Deakin using the term to convey the essence of a youth lived unapologetically, only to be regretted when we eventually face reality and search for deeper meaning. Here, we are lectured about what could have been if only we acted on our interests or "listened to advice" we were handed when we were young. The harmony builds in the first verse with a palm-muted style rhythm guitar. By the time the second verse rolls around after the chorus, it's safe to say I was 'In My Element', with more captivating riff's maintaining the tune's hook.

"None of it'll ever make sense to me" rings throughout the chorus and the interlude, acting as the central build up to the final flourish where this sing-along quality is bound to make it a fan favorite during live performances. A deep-cutting, hard-hitting, yet upbeat lyric, consumable for any genre.

It's clear that only the very top is on the horizon for The Clause; mastering their craft after experimenting with floor-filling hits like the vastly streamed "Sixteen", and truly honing their musical capabilities is THE formula for success. With Take Me Home, they've demonstrated their growth and potential, solidifying their place in the indie rock scene. Fans and newcomers alike should be excited for what's next. Don't miss out on their upcoming single Fever Dream, which is available as of today! The Clause is undoubtedly a band to watch, and their journey is just beginning.

Written by Jacob Barclay-Evans