Any band that can write songs that out-pop pop music for infectiousness, can out-groove dance music in terms of seductive moves, that is way smarter than your average indie offering and does all of that without sounding particularly part of any one of those scenes, is a band that you need to keep an eye on. Not just because they sound like a bunch of sonic subversives that shouldn’t be allowed to roam around unsupervised but because they are a band that is likely to be dropping songs destined to be future classics. Listening to Waste Away gives you the feeling that they might have already done so.
This is music that can only be the product of the post-genre world. In this world, intelligent people ignore the old tribal boundaries and sonic allegiances and use whatever influences and inspirations they choose, no matter in which scene or style, era or genre they might find them, mixing and matching, melding, and moulding them into their own interesting and unique forms.
Hotel Mira is doing precisely that, and even though Waste Away, a song whose brightness and beguiling qualities belie its darker lyrical themes, is my first taste of this Canadian outfit, I know that it won’t be my last.
(Is it too early to start compiling my end-of-the-year best of list?)
And for those who want to see what all the fuss is about, here are a few live dates. See you down the front!
Thurs 16th May – The Impressive/Planetary Showcase @ The Secret Comedy Club 2 pm / East Street Tap 8.20 pm
Friday 17th May Grand Central 11.30 am
Sunday 19th May – The Victoria, Dalston