For a band rooted within the northeastern US, The Northern Line adopt a very British sound on parts of their debut EP. The crashy opening of ‘Lightning Strikes’ makes no secret of a love of The Who, and occasionally the number slips into a riff or two that’s reminiscent of early Dodgy. It isn’t a straight up homage to old mod or mod adjacent Britpop sounds, though: the swirling organs and crashing beats that run through the centre of this energised number carry more than a faint echo of old Northern Soul bangers, and a reverbed vocal leans a little more into a garage rock sound. If you’re going to borrow, it might as well be from good stock, of course, and what The Northern Line manage with their spoils here has a genuine spark throughout. With a slight echo applied, the lead vocal takes on a retro sound that is genuinely great, but is soon outshone by a world of lead guitar courtesy of Pete Kitchener, a man clearly able to redress a couple of Dave Davies inspired runs with the power of 90s Britpop to give the track an extra feeling of gusto. It’s all very familiar to say the least, but what this menagerie of sound represents feels far greater than the actual outcome. This is the sound of a band with a lot of energy and a band who are able to recycle bits of the past in a way that feels genuinely exciting.

This isn’t a case of peaking early, either: the EP’s brilliant title cut locks into a busy, drum-led groove that recalls Madchester sounds, baggy wares, and even a pinch of the retro vibes from bands like The Soup Dragons. More so than the opener, the influences are flaunted with a brazen edge, occasionally even dropping into blatant plagiarism – the middle eight directly lifts the sound and groove of Kula Shaker’s rendition of ‘Hush’ fused with a couple of early Charlatans bangers – but as before, it’s impossible not to be swept up within The Northern Line’s undeniable energies, or be impressed by Mike Ackley’s prominent keys. …And if it’s a great energy you’re after, ‘Throw A Fist’ hits hard with the help of a heavy drum groove and fat bassline, mixing baggy interests with a hefty dose of influence from Paul Weller’s solo debut, using its recycled sounds to promote some superb riffs beneath a melodic, flowing vocal. Keeping a closer ear, you’ll hear some great interplay between Ackley (playing up a storm in a way that bares no resemblance to his other band Looking Glass War) and Kitchener. This is one of those tunes that feels like something you’ve always known, but the familiarity makes it so very enjoyable, as well as giving the impression that these guys will play up a storm live.

Rounding out the release, ‘Out In The Drift’ takes a side step into more melodic territory, allowing a shimmering rhythm guitar to bring a pinch of dream pop coolness to contrast another 90s indie inspired rhythm. The lead vocal clings onto an already safe style for the band, but the slower, more spacious musical arrangement brings something a little different to the table. The mellower stance gives Kitchener more room to stretch out, but without ever hampering bassist Joshh Magee, who fills a lot of this number with some pleasingly pointed sounds, even punching through one of the more prominent guitar solos, whilst drummer McG makes the creation of a solid backline seem almost effortless. This’ll take a little longer to stick, but it’s a track that suggests that The Northern Line will have more great material – perhaps even something a touch more original – in the future.

This debut may well be released via “Mad Fer It” Records, but it comes as something of a relief that this Brit-obsessed band haven’t just trotted out a bunch of tunes that sound like third rate knock offs of the Oasis lads’ own third rate knock offs. Sure, you can spend fifteen minutes or so playing spot the influence; you’ll probably even raise an eyebrow or two at a couple of the more obvious lifts along the way, but this release has a great energy…and even greater songs. ‘Let’s Roll On’ makes absolutely no bones about what it is – and if it’s familiar, feel-good sounds you’re after, this EP more than has that remit covered. A recommended listen.

May 2026