Their debut album ‘Fat & Furious’ plays host to a variety of styles and genres. Their 12-track record highlights the popularity and prevalence of categories like Britpop and indie, moulding them into a distinctive sound that has become instantly recognisable. With half of the album already released as singles, including ‘Jenny’, ‘Honey’ and ‘Velvet Thunder’, it was intriguing to see what else Fat Dads had in store for fans new and old.
‘Dirty Levi’s’ is an infectious introductory track that draws you in, creating anticipation for what’s next. Repeated riffs and a steady foundation of bass guitar and drums give an effortless energy that anyone could listen to. As indie songs go, it’s one that would sound electric in a live setting. Lyrics like, “there’s something intrinsic / yeah in this feeling,” make up catchy choruses that would sound atmospheric being yelled back to the band at a festival or gig. It sets a tone and theme of summery songs on ‘Fat and Furious’ that will make you even more excited for the warmer months.
Continuing the bright, airy feel are singles ‘Jenny’ and ‘Velvet Thunder’. ‘Jenny’ includes an ethereal energy created by riffs and relatable sentiments. It surrounds the concept of watching someone make decisions that you know aren’t the best and waiting for them to realise this themselves and come home “oh Jenny, won’t you come home.” Like with ‘Velvet Thunder’, there are guitar solos that add to the already mesmerising melodies. The latter track includes a storytelling approach with lines like, “you said I should take you out ‘cause it’s your birthday.” Resembling songs by bands like Squeeze, this style automatically makes it more appealing to those who relate to lyrics and messages within.
Similarly, ‘One More Night’ adopts this approach too. This track discusses knowing a relationship isn’t quite going the way you’d intended, but not wanting it to be over just yet, “we can play pretend for just one more night.” An emotional and mental maturity are present in both this tune and ‘Girlfriend’. With ‘One More Night’, Wight sings, “I don’t want another lover just like you / I’m finding it hard to know what I can do.” It looks like there’s a situational evaluation that presents more questions than answers. In ‘Girlfriend’, emotions and feelings are much more evident, “I hate to say it / to tell the truth, I just fucking hate your girlfriend.” When you think of typical indie tunes, this one meets all criteria. As well as it being stereotypically indie, there is an early noughties pop-rock foundation to this tune that is like bands including The Killers, The All-American Rejects, and Franz Ferdinand. It’s a top pick for me, and it’s obvious why it debuted so high on iTunes upon its original release.
Britpop, as previously mentioned, makes an appearance and housing this are songs like ‘You Don’t Like Me Anymore’ and ‘Wandering Blind (featuring Delagrave)’. As with some of the other tracks, there is story-style songwriting that provides simplicity alongside relatability “I tried to hide all the hurt and the pain.” Incorporating an Oasis feel throughout, Fat Dads take these similarities but transform and develop these into a distinctive sound. With ‘Wandering Blind’, which features Delagrave, it follows a slower tempo. If you like Oasis’ ‘Champagne Supernova’, then you’ll love this track.
Originally released as a 2022 demo, ‘Taking Our Sweet Time’ is up next. Three years after its initial release, it is a worthwhile wait to hear a studio released album version. I heard this song live at an intimate Edinburgh gig and it instantly had everyone moving and dancing. The catchy and captivating choruses will soon have you singing along too with lyrics such as, “drinking wine in the summertime / talking ‘bout those things we like.” The message hints to reminiscing about, or perhaps looking forward to, better times where you live life in the moment. It’s a carefree track that is instantly a favourite.
Continuing the theme of bright and airy tracks is ‘Love Somebody’. Much like the previous song, you’ll learn the words to this track pretty easily. “When you love somebody / you’ll do it all to please them,” is repeated in choruses throughout and sets the sentiment for the single. Breaking the musical fourth wall, Fat Dads discuss the “need to write a cheesy love song / because it seems that’s where the money comes from.” It also includes references to The Office, a US sitcom, and two of its characters, “I’ll be your Jim, if you’ll be my Pam.”
Where ‘Love Somebody’ talks about writing a “cheesy love song”, following tracks ‘Honey’ and ‘Tangerine’ fit this description perfectly. When it’s summer, the last thing you want is a song you have to think deeply about, and these songs alleviate that burden by being indie-pop perfection. Musically, ‘Honey’ is similar to The Kooks’ ‘Seaside’, instantly bringing a summer feel. It’s simplicity branches from the melody, into repeated lyrics like, “you’re stuck on me like honey, honey, honey.” The latter tune ‘Tangerine’ is equally as easy to follow along with. There’s nothing wrong with cliche connotations of watching the sunset or simply spending time with someone. The words, “I want to spend some time to get to know you better,” are heard multiple times, but takes the idea of being in a relationship back to basics.
The final track ‘Out Came The Sunshine’ is the longest at over five minutes in duration. This doesn’t detriment it at all, though. While the Britpop feuds are commonly known about, this song seems to mend an element of this. This final song fuses gritty solos that may remind you of recognisable Oasis ones, with a multitude of instrumentals seen in songs like ‘Beautiful Ones’ by Suede. It is the perfect end to an album full of varying notions and sounds.
‘Fat & Furious’ is a record released at the perfect time. With summer just around the corner, this is an album that will help put you in the mood for warmer months, the cover artwork alone could aid with that. It combines genres that many will know and love yet still drives a distinctive and unique sound that Fat Dads have honed as theirs. There is a seamless production that keeps everything perfectly proportioned and, for once, I haven’t had to strain to understand what is being sung.
Morgan Hermiston
Image: 'Fat & Furious' Official Album Cover
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