The Maccabees: Love You Better
For those of us who have literally been itching with anticipation for the release of The Maccabees sophomore record after hearing the brooding ‘No Kind Words’, which in a touch of irony they ‘kindly’ made available for free, the first single from the new album will leave you in no doubt as to the expanding sound of the music to follow.
‘Love You Better’ is a masterpiece of an equally brooding track, with stunning, almost earnest echoing vocals from Weeks and a building background evoked as he pleads ‘I will love you better’ again and again.
It moves delicately throughout it’s 3 minute course from its gentle beginnings to its rousing and almost insistent melody, all the while being underpinned by jangling guitar layers and clean harmonies. Then its flourishing finale includes a climax provided by a brass section, allowing the instruments to provide the ultimate finesse on this enduring track.
It’s conveyance of heart and soul is charming, whilst they take you through different levels of emotion evoked by the lyrics within. Its as though the song is split into sections far more dynamic than the verse into chorus formula many musicians are reluctant to detract from.
The Maccabees haven’t lost the qualities that ultimately defined them as an underground success with debut LP ‘Colour It In’, but there has undeniably been a progression in soundscaping and a maturity surrounding their song-writing with newer material. A convergence of perhaps age and experience that could make ‘Wall of Arms’ an album of the year and give this London by Brighton fivesome a justified leap into widespread notoriety. Amazing.
9/10
Words: Francesca Strange
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