April Tapes define the sound of this summer on ‘Dead Int Water’

Are they technically from Nottingham? No, but hear us out…

April Tapes are actually from Chesterfield, but since we first discovered them at a BBC Introducing show at Metronome in Nottingham, we’re claiming them as one of our own.

Is that cool with you all? We’re taking that as a yes… so on with the review.

The alternative-rock outfit only had two songs to their name before beginning to roll out their new EP ‘Dead Int Water’ but if you’ve heard these songs already you’ll know how impressive they are - especially given the DIY nature of their production.

Then came the first two singles from the EP, ‘Reyt Fast’ and ‘Cactus Flower’, which both arrived last year. The latter of these tracks is over a year old at this stage, so fans of the band are probably very familiar with it by now. But there’s still plenty to look forward to on the EP, with three previously unheard tracks.

All five tracks on the project are equally polished and refined, presenting a band that knows exactly what its mission statement is, even early on in their trajectory. With roots slightly further north than most artists we review, there’s no surprise that there’s a twang of the indie and Britpop sounds that are so often associated with these regions.

Elsewhere, the beginning of ‘Salt Rock’ has a folky twang to it, while ‘Grunge’ has a heavier, more alternative-rock feel to it when compared to the other moments on the EP - naturally, given its title. Meanwhile, the track we haven’t mentioned yet, ‘Normal People’, is a shimmering instrumental, bringing yet another dimension to the project.

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Across these five tracks, April Tapes demonstrate exactly why they’ve been picked for the line-ups of Y Not, Truck Festival and Tramlines this summer. We wouldn’t be surprised if they become one of this year’s breakout artists, so if you’re reading this, we recommend getting ahead of the game and giving them a listen sooner, rather than later.

‘Dead Int Water’ is available on all streaming services now.