The first thing you hear when listening the latest single, This Train Remains, from Edinburgh based group The Last September is their use of rhythm and space, provided in most part by Simon Usher on drums and Archie MacFarlane on keyboards and accordion; not to mention their soft touches of melody and ambient layering echoing throughout the track.
Layers of instruments slowly come and go, painting an aural picture of a journey, whether or not it be on an actual train. Lush guitar tones and somewhat ambient riffs, coupled with underlying driving rhythms and the always present drum line, give the track a sense of great anticipation; you almost can't wait to hear where this song is going, until it kicks in to a fantastic reprise/bridge putting to rest all your doubts about this journey and making you want to enjoy the adventure even more.
Strong vocals by Pete Deane and Craig Nicholson give the perfect amount of harmonies to take us on this trip and lull us into a sense of false security, while hinting that the band are ready to lay their soul out on to this track for all to hear. Lyrical content about being on this ambiguous trip, mixed with strong, reflective emotions really help the music hit home and give a nice contrast to this seemingly innocent song. There is an edge in the music, you just need to listen to the lyrics and truly understand what Pete and Craig are trying to communicate to the listener.
- Mike Greenwood
The Last September - This Train Remains is out now via Fountainhall Records and is available to download from the band's Bandcamp page on a 'name your price' basis.
