Apparently, Fifteen Lions have a cult status – before they’ve even released this, their debut single. I’m sceptical, despite the fact the band’s three members – Stuart Fiddes, Paul Cunningham, and Morgan Fisher – have, between them, a raft of experience and musical pedigree, with Ian Hunter, Mott the Hoople, Steve Harley, Bob Geldof, Queen named on their collective resumé.
The two songs on this release, for my money, are way cooler than any of the aforementioned, with Fiddes slightly breathy, Bowie-influenced vocals tight and compressed, creating an understated urgency in combination with some taut, reverby guitars that are welded to a solid rhythm section to forge some nifty slices of post-punk. It’s deft and subtly assured, making for an introduction that doesn’t see the band roar onto the scene, but threatens to take the world by stealth.
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