If the conversation ever goes quiet when talking to a music lover, ask them which songs from this century could rival classics from the last. The Fleetwood Macs, the Bon Jovis? Surely the most obvious response would be the huge, stonking noughties anthems – played so often they practically become national anthems – from The Killers and Two Door Cinema Club: massive sounds that bring you back to good times with your mates, killer riffs, subtle but electric social commentary.
If you miss that golden age of Indie, then you should join the queue to check out Britain’s next big anthem machine, Manchester-based four-piece Corella. Their second album, A Beautiful World to Lose, is both a love letter to the greatest bands from the 2000s, and a vital statement of the times we live in today.
We begin with “Rewire”, a raucous, head-thumping bop that poses as a statement of intent with no let-up, and that will surely go down a storm during the album launch show at Jacaranda Baltic in Liverpool. Lead singer Joel is a powerhouse driving not just this song but the entire record through the sort of angry young man voice all us Indie kids fell in love with during the noughties and early tens. “What’s the Use” further consolidates not just the sonic, but the message behind this sophomore release. In a sense, it provides a fascinating follow-up to debut album “Once Upon a Weekend”, from which a strong Corella fanbase blossomed. Leading into the chorus, the line repeats “I’m never gonna rewrite all the pages, I’m never gonna headline on the news”, presumably a comment on disillusionment in the pursuit of fame, an ideal which frequently seems unattainable for young, emerging talent. “Lost a Friend” makes clear the boys have the opportunity to stand out amidst a crowded indie scene to bring us something truly exceptional.
There is something to be said, in the age of The Shuffle, about listening to an album in the order it was almost meant to be consumed. Doing that, something will always surprise you, and jumping from those big head boppers to something more beautiful and heartfelt is a testament to Corella’s versatile songwriting talent that is owed even greater exposure. With lyrics like, “It’s a beautiful world, with beautiful sun, and beautiful skies”, this is a joyful, oxymoronic track about how a break up is like losing a friend, and the reluctance of admitting the person you were meant to be is someone you are yet to become, forcing you to admit your love may not be the love of your life as you once thought.
“Simple Life” channels Bloc Party vibes, which sounds insulting when comparison culture is something we are all very conscious about, but Corella ascend above other, lesser contemporary bands who just take, take, take, by giving us something in return: proper fun, boot-stomping stuff. You can imagine an entire audience of fans chanting the chorus “this is the simple life we need now to be happy”. In the song’s final moments, the surprises continue, with a Streets-like burst of honest profanity that sums up, shifts the vibes of, and recontextualises everything that came before.
“Bitter End” is more straightforward, though the comparisons between death and the hedonistic, unrealistic perception of an American Dream are fascinating, complemented perfectly by Joel’s rough, raw vocals. “All I Want” is another break-up song with a twist, with some fascinatingly vague lyrics that warrant deep dive analysis: “Living back at home, did you finally talk to dad, I heard you finally got the job”. Is this heartbreak or jealousy, or an unhealthy mix of both? Homages to Blossoms and Foals never drown out the eulogy to love vibe at the heart of this one.
Arguably the most vital track on the album, “Jump Scare” is about how isolating social media can be, following a narrator who observes the lives of another couple in their turbulent relationship. Perhaps you will interpret something different from this immaculate, lyrically profound piece that also features the best instrumentation on the album.
Corella supported one of their favourite bands, Circa Waves, on tour last year, and writing a song with lead singer Kieran Shudall, “Thunder Strike”, must have been a dream. This Kasabian-inspired track dives deep into the big question the record seeks to answer: “Do you want this life?” Take from that as you will. “Wolf” is like the best parts of every era of the Arctic Monkeys all in one, which is a treat.
They say to leave the best until last, and Corella lives up to that with “Note to Self”. The production here is genuinely gorgeous, thanks to the work of The Molotovs and McFly collaborator Jason Perry. Most importantly, it marks a tantalising preview for what Corella might get up to next, as A Beautiful World to Lose makes their name as one of the most elastic names on the indie guitar circuit right now.
