Elsewhere, Always Sets the Tone
Written by Amanda La
A debut album is always something I enjoy listening to because it brings together the different conceptual sounds an artist has been experimenting with and binds them into a cohesive sonic identity. While EPs are like elevator pitches, the first album is a litmus test to see whether that sound can be sustainable in a longer form.
The four piece from Birmingham landed on my radar through a random playlist I found on Spotify, and after listening to a song or two of theirs, I started counting down the days to their first album release. On the first listen, overpass’ “Elsewhere, Always” was kind of disappointing because I found the album flow to be slightly disjointing with certain song placements. But after several more listens to the individual songs I loved (Fall in Love and Heaven), I decided to give the album a second chance, and eventually, it became a staple soundtrack of my summer. The tracklist shifts and embodies all the different moods you can think of and actually feel through the music — from the upbeat opening track Union Station to the heavily stripped-down Bonnie & Clyde Pt. 2. The album is a showcase of the range the band has without losing sight of themselves.
This album is certainly a strong marker to the band’s foundational identity, carrying a distinct sound that separates them from their peers. With hooks that can’t help but sing along to, this is the perfect album to perform in front of a live audience, which they’ve been doing at festival appearances across Europe this summer that will continue into their sold-out UK headline tour.
