Two in a row from Manchester - is this a sign that we are on the verge of a new period of creativity from the city that gave us Joy Division, The Smiths, The Happy Mondays and Madchester? The latest export from the north-west to impress me is Polytechnic, a five-piece whose new single Pep is out on Monday on hip label du jour Transgressive. I got my hands on a six-track demo, which along with first single Won't You Come Around / Let Me Down has been on repeat play here non-stop for the past 2 days.Their sound is being described in many quarters as Manchester's answer to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, which while a lazy comparison will give you some idea of what to expect. The vocals in particular have an element of the CYHSY / Wolf Parade / Modest Mouse fragility. Meanwhile the songwriting is as good as any of the above.
Download 3 tracks off their MySpace site and watch and listen to various videos and tracks on their band site.
Some press quotes culled from their website:
'My favourite thing at the moment? POLYTECHNIC, a new band from Manchester... I'm desperate to see them live because their demo is absolutely brilliant - one of the best I've ever had, really'
Steve Lamacq, NME
'This hand-clapping, sugar-rushing off-kilter classic-in-waiting hasn't left the stereo since we discovered them at Manchester's In The City last month'
pep on NME's what's on the stereo?
'The hottest new band in Manchester…'
bbc gmr
'There is hope for guitar music yet... They aren’t comparable, over the course of a live set or an EP, to anyone else. 5/5'
drownedinsound
