Review - Soundcheck by Catfish and the Bottlemen

*****

Brit Breakthrough nominees Catfish and the Bottlemen tend to get slammed for their high ambitions, their desire to sell out football stadiums and to be as big and successful as their idols Oasis and The Strokes. How I personally perceive it is, what is the point in being a musician, putting countless hours into your work, making everything sound perfect to only sit comfortably in the middle ground?

Catfish's latest track Soundcheck, which previewed on Annie Mac's Radio 1 show earlier this evening, shows the world that these ambitions they outwardly have are in fact very possible, and are happening a rate that nobody would have first predicted.

Soundcheck is a powerful surge of energy, truly kicking off the brand new Catfish era. Even from the introduction, when you are greeted with the wonder of lead singer Van McCann's husky vocals, you are transported to the world of large capacity venues, saturated with die hard music fans on top of strangers' shoulders, arms flailing and screaming back every single word to the singer, whistling away the troubles of everyday life. This world, in Catfish and the Bottlemen's eyes, is a dream land, however, it is a world that is slowly and surely becoming a reality. 

To mimic the words of Van himself, their debut The Balcony was the opening act, their new album, if the songs are on the same calibre as Soundcheck, will definitely be the headliner.

Their highly anticipated 2nd album is due for release in late spring/early summer.

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Vote Catfish and the Bottlemen for Best British Breakthrough at the Brit Awards 2016

Catfish and the Bottlemen are nominated for Best British Breakthrough Act at The 2016 Brit Awards, which is voted for by the listeners of BBC Radio 1. Voting is currently open and you can vote via the BBC Radio 1 Website or via Twitter using #BRITBREAKCATFISH

Voting closes on Friday 19 February and the Brit Awards will be broadcast live on ITV1 on Wednesday 24 February from 8pm.