Labels: self released
Review by: Andy Malcolm
Always good to hear some new Football etc, but I shall come to that in a moment. Square Business is a new band for me, and probably most people as this appears to be their first release. They have generously donated 3 songs to this split, and having burned through their side a few times in the car I can say I am rather impressed. “Weight” kicks in with some sad, twinkly melodies but they swiftly merge in some heftier riffs to chug things up. The lo-fi recording and the slightly gruff vocals combine with this to bring to mind the really early Small Brown Bike stuff. This is especially evident on the start of the rollicking “Medicine” which belts into earshot. I am really rather partial to the murky emotional rumblings that Square Business have conjured up here, it’s not a sound you encounter particularly often and they are doing a really good job with it.
Football, etc. also do 3 songs, they played a couple of these on their recent UK tour dates so you already know them I’m sure. Almost to the point where I don’t need to bother reviewing it! Favourite of the 3 here is finale, “Hike” which is slow and miserable and totally reminds me of the amazing Blacktop fucking Cadence, which is a pretty great thing. Football and the etceteras are slowly evolving their sound, no dramatic changes but it does feel a touch different to the LP, but it is still all about the lingering vocals and prominent bass lines. I dig it, always. Delightful.