A power-pop trio from Oslo, Spielbergs have already established themselves as a band to watch with huge success in their homeland and they’ve even broken into the Spotify viral 50 chart. Signed to new label By the Time it Gets Dark, their ‘Distant Star’ EP will be available on CD, download and limited-edition blue and gold glitter cassette.
Opening with the thunderous drums and early ’90s guitar blast of recent single ‘We are Going to Die’, this is an EP that will make you want to clench your fists and go out and conquer the world. It has slightly distorted vocals, a big bass line and a massive chorus that act as a fantastic introduction to what the band is about. Following this is ‘Daisy! It’s the New Me’, a slice of indie-pop that clocks in at under 2 minutes and finds Mads Baklien pleading to get back with someone. There’s a change in direction on ‘Ghost Boy’, an 8-and-a-half-minute epic that combines a shoegaze-inspired into with ‘The Bends’-era Radiohead guitar and some of the Scandinavian majesty of Mew – especially when it reaches its post-rock climax.
The title track combines sing-along pop hooks with Death by Unga Bunga-style enthusiasm as the band sing about looking for excitement and perfection in their personal lives: ‘I wanna leave this place but I never do and it’s because of you’. The final ‘Setting Sun’ has a slower start and is ready-made for bigger venues. There’s a dark tinge as Mads asks ‘What if I can’t get what you need most?’ and ‘I wish I could explain why I came back to you’.
Like their namesake director, Spielbergs are set for a glittering career. This EP marks them out as stars to watch.
