The Gurus - Flashing Lights Review

Hey!

The Gurus are a 4 piece indie/alternative band from Stoke-on-Trent, consisting of Jimmy Hackley, Jamie Ball, Jack Stubbs and Jonny Gosling. On Tuesday they released their latest track ‘Flashing Lights’ and considering I’ll be attending their gig on Saturday I thought it to be the perfect opportunity for a quick review:

The song starts simply, yet powerfully with rhythm guitar and drum beat, which establishes a strong beat to naturally get you toe tapping or bouncing – in an instant there is an air of excitement to the song. There is a build-up of anticipation until around 25 seconds in where the second part of the intro begins – a more exciting, energetic section with a smooth, rocky riff.

Jimmy begins to sing the first verse around 40 seconds in, with a beautifully distinct voice that I would like to compare with the likes of Van McCann and Alex Turner, whilst retaining his own identity; giving the band their own persona. There are a range of vocal tones used with confidence; and the varied speeds at which lyrics are sung provides texture to the track, making it easy-listening for indie-enthusiasts and giving it great commercial value. Additionally, the lyrics are narrative, which enables us to subconsciously visualise them in our minds like a personal music video, adding an interesting element to the song, setting it apart from others in the genre.

The chorus of the song is incredibly catchy – since hearing the track last night, I’ve not had the chorus out of my head all day (that can only be a good thing). Moreover, the drum beat throughout the chorus a real highlight as a result of it developing into a more complex rhythm compared to that of the intro. As the transition from chorus to verse 2 is made, the bass guitar becomes a more prominent aspect of the music – an instrument that I feel can sometimes go unnoticed, so it is great that the boys have provided an opportunity for Jonny to showcase his talent, as opposed to him playing unappreciated, like other bands often do.

My favourite part of the song is the instrumental section after verse 2. It’s punchy, exhilarating and stands out more than other sections of the song, whilst complimenting the rest of the track. It flows stunningly into a climax during which Jamie’s talent really shines through and finishes with a final, powerful chorus.

Overall, the track is raw, edgy and honest – brilliant qualities to portray in indie music. I really do believe that these lads are going to go far with the quality of work they are producing! Really well done to you guys!

Listen to Flashing Lights here on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thegurusstoke/flashing-lights

The Gurus will be playing at the Sugarmill, Hanley on January 16^th and again on the 22^nd February supporting the Sherlocks – both events I will be covering. Please try and get down to support the lads and to listen to a quality set!

Thanks for reading!

Bethan xx