Glasgow band Walt Disco will release their debut EP Young Hard and Handsome on the 30th September. The band, made up of six eccentric young musicians, have been releasing music since 2018 and were on the NME 100 list back in 2019. They will also go on a UK tour in March 2021 to promote the album.
An early review of Young Hard and Handsome by DIY magazine gave it 4 stars, which the band was very happy with. They also had a recent interview with NME in which they talked about the upcoming release. The band, who all share a flat together, told the interviewer that ‘if it weren’t for lockdown, the whole EP would have a completely different look’ as they worked on a lot of the art and video work during that period.
Young Hard and Handome contains tracks that harken back to ‘new romanticism’ while also including modern ‘pop bangers’. The interviewer described the ‘honesty’ in Walt Disco’s lyrics as ‘what sets them apart from their peers’. The upcoming album will include songs that talk about gender identity, societal judgement and personal insecurities.
These worthwhile topics have long been present in the bands music. 2018 single Drowning in Your Bed, was an angst ridden rally against perfection. Here, the feedback sounds and urgent guitar playing make way for frontman James Potter’s powerful voice, singing: ‘perfection what do you make of this// draw me a picture, I’ll sit very still’.
James Potter is a force of life. With a restless energy reminiscent of David Byrne, he commands the stage in flamboyant clothes and makeup. His musical icons include The Blue Nile, Simple Minds and The Associates. This 80’s influence can be heard in tracks such as Strange to Know Nothing, which features a funky bass line and upbeat synth melody.
There is also a definite homage to the 70’s glam rock movement in Walt Disco’s music. Potter’s stage persona has more than a whiff of Marc Bolan about it. In the band’s video performance for BBC Introducing, he can be seen winking flirtatiously at the camera and dancing about to the beat in his feather pink jacket.
In an interview with DIY he stated that he cares deeply about ‘the show… the vision as a whole’; this is clear to see and explains why the band are so praised for their live performances. The upcoming album, and its promotional tour to follow next year, will not be one to miss.
