Review: Nothing But Thieves – Nothing But Thieves

Having supported the likes of Twin Atlantic, George Ezra, and Darlia, Nothing But Thieves have released their eagerly awaited self-titled debut album, bringing with it the the potential to be a real catalyst for major success for the band.

Heralding from Southend, the five-piece have released a succession of EPs since signing to the RCA Records label in 2014 – all building up to their self-titled debut album.

Nothing But Thieves starts with the slow-building but hard hitting ‘Excuse Me’ – with Conor Mason’s vocals standing up admirably with his cohesive band members’ melodies. Mason’s vocal range is shown off throughout the record, but ‘Ban All The Music’ encompasses his choral spectrum more than any another track. A strong start for the alternative indie band.

‘Wake Up Call’, the best track on the album, has an overall slower tone but builds and builds and delivers with a chorus that appears to be written for incredible live arena performances with its anthemic nature. The thing with this record is the quality doesn’t drop for a second, with ‘Itch’ and ‘Trip Switch’ both frequently getting radio airplay: the former obtaining track of the day on BBC Radio 1.

There is a definite likeness to both U2 and Muse in their work, with The Edge guitar shredding and Matt Bellamy falsetto vibes a-plenty – even with a bit of Radiohead thrown in. The finale to the album keeps a remarkably high standard, with ‘Drawing Pins’ and the energetic ‘Painkiller’ keeping a high tempo right to the end.

Normally artists take a few records to get to a high enough level for headline slots at festivals and stadium tours, however Nothing But Thieves have arguably created a debut album full of ambition that will propel them up to a level fit for those very purposes. They will explode soon; the debut album of 2015.

Nothing But Thieves is out now via RCA.