Founded by Richie Follin, former member of Willowz and last seen playing live with his sister’s outfit Cults, this trio known as Guards have a debut album primed for lovers of indie-pop.
With Loren Humphrey – who is also a former Williowz member that joined Cults on the road for drumming duties – and Kylie Church rounding out the band, the New Yorkers blend 60s rock, psychedelia and a tinge of folk with the all important modern day wrapping.
Follin explains that he wants the album to sound like it’s 60s, but also “modern and of its time.” In Guards We Trust certainly achieves that.
While its mixture of influences have you swirling in a past era, its polished production grounds you in the present.
Lead single ‘Ready To Go’ begs for another mention of the band’s relationship with Cults, but mostly it’s only the chiming bells that is reminiscent of the duo. Sonically, they might be cut from a similar cloth, but they’re very different outfits.
Guards will no doubt find their fans through their instantly gratifying choruses. With just one listen tracks like ‘Heard the News’, ‘I Know It’s You’ and ‘Nightmare’ quickly find a home in your brain.
While psych-pop roots run especially deep through songs such as ‘Silver Lining’, ‘Not Supposed To’ and ‘Your Man’.
Fans of indie-pop that aren’t particularly enamoured with synths should easily take to the guitar rhythms on the records.
Guards’ debut album is an impressive first offering from this little-known trio. You can trust in the fact that people will soon be talking about the group as one of the year’s most exciting discoveries.
