Autoheart at the Sebright Arms

Autoheart’s fizzing blend of sanguine piano, wrenching bass and lilting melodies burst with lightening force into the gloomy surroundings of the Sebright Arms. Five years on from their fledgling success under previous alias The Gadsdens – which saw them gain critical success when they were championed by Radio 2’s Bob Harris and their hit The Sailor Song became single of the week on Shaun Keaveny’s BBC 6 show – the band have renamed and rebooted with the release of debut album Punch, EP Demos and a forthcoming second album now under construction.

The set is a kooky mixture ranging from the initial singles which garnered the band’s first successes to fresh material from their latest effort Demos. Immediately striking is the marked difference between old and new. These latest tracks not only feel more mature in style but also richer and fuller – poised on the cusp of blistering power and raging noise yet retaining a soft, rippling gentleness . Hallelujah is a morose yet invigorating track with macabre lyrics – “This kind of love never lasts/ if it does it will kill you in the middle of the night” – pervading a melange of heavy, rolling bass, tingling drums and long organ drones. Fire uses this same bass-heavy sound played adroitly by Barney JC, yet this time instilling a hopeful vigour as lead singer Jody Gadsden’s rhapsodic tones bubble up into anthemic chorus lines.

Favourites Lent, Santa Fe and Beat the Love make an appearance much to the appreciation of the energetic crowd who relish their upbeat tempo and jangling melodies. It’s tracks Moscow and The Sailor Song which really stand out from their early repertoire: in a live setting The Sailor Song retains its abstract strangeness while casting out pulsing energy, and Moscow provides the perfect crowd pleaser, its buoyant pop beats and rollicking piano imploring the crowd to dance.

Tonight’s show not only proves Autoheart’s ability to impassion their audience but also showcases their steadily maturing sound.  If their new tracks are anything to go by, they’re sure to have a successful second album in their grasp.

Alexandra Sims

For further information and future events visit Autoheart’s website here.

Listen to Santa Fe from Autoheart’s EP Demos here: