Merely eight tracks in length and clocking in at just under half an hour, Say Hello is a short debut peppered with impressive guitar work.
The musicianship which constitutes the Alexander collective features James Simpson, Anthony Snowdon, Andrew Michael, and Jamie Clark, who introduce themselves and the album with the title track. Accented vocals underline a simple drum kick, and although the rock-driven chorus feels a little untamed at times, the settled verses show promise.
‘Maybe I Was Wrong’ mimics the strain in the chorus felt by the introductory track, losing much of the gusto created in the verses, but an excellent drum show towards the end redeems the song.
‘Lost Yourself’ is the first single off the album, and for good reason – it’s catchy and boasts expertly executed guitar arrangements punctuated with punchy drum interjections and a compelling bass.
‘Find My Way Out’ follows perfectly, not only in track order and theme, but also in intensity. ‘A Sweet Song’ reigns in the pace of the album, before ‘Vapour Trails’ develops into guitar frenzy with a fuzzed-out end.
‘Without A Parachute’ provides a resonating hook sure to earn radio time in the near future. Finally, ‘Old Fashioned Romance’ brings the album to a piano-infused slow-burning end.
Spouting the likes of Jimmy Eat World, Futures and Two Door Cinema Club as their influences, Alexander has big shoes to fill in an industry already saturated with UK indie-rock outfits. It’s nothing we haven’t heard before, but it’s worth a spin.
