Nearly 18 months since their last studio release ‘0151’, The Night Café are back with their new EP ‘For Better Days.’ They have blessed us with four new tracks ready for their 2022 UK tour.
Known for their mellow, guitar-led indie tracks, The Night Café have stuck to their roots with their new EP, showcasing the band’s well-established sound. They first teased new music in December 2020 through BTS photos captioned ‘Ready for 2021.’ As you may have gathered from the EP title, the band’s latest offering is a depiction of better days. Frontman and vocalist Sean Martin said: “This last year has been a tough one so we were making rammers to cheer us up to be hopeful for the better days to come“. That is exactly what the band have done, following in the footsteps of previous hits ‘Endless Lovers‘ and ‘You Change with the Seasons.’ This time, we see the band delving deeper into themselves and their core emotions.
The lead single and opening track ‘Isn’t‘ almost fools us into thinking the lyrics have a happy narrative with its upbeat, jangly guitar sounds. Digging into the lyrics, we get to understand the complex cycle of love, loss and heartbreak. The opening verse paints a saddened version of love:
“Isn’t it funny?
You said you would’ve grown,
I thought you loved me,
Who says I should’ve known?”
The relatability of failed relationships and a refusal to let go will certainly resonate with many listeners. When speaking to Dork earlier this year, Martin admitted “This song isn’t about me, but I know… even if you’ve never been through it, it’s easy to put yourself in those shoes”.
‘Think It Over‘ is the EP’s second serving, the newest single released with an accompanying music video. It shows Sean going about his day to day life, questioning whether his life is going in the right direction and if he is as good as everyone else. ‘Think It Over’ was the first track written for the EP, with Martin stating that he “Really wanted to just have a happy song that was fun to play“. ‘Up All Night‘ makes use of guitarist Josh Higgins’ versatility, performing nostalgic emo riffs. This song has a clear and catchy message, showing the band’s cathartic lyrics: “Love is not the only answer I get when I’m thinking about you“. Closing the EP is ‘What’s It Feel Like?‘. This final song leaves us on a feel-good high, with its typical indie-pop sonics and plenty of guitar solos for Higgins to get his teeth into. Combining these riffs with Dillon on drums and O’Connell on bass sets the perfect stage for Sean Martin’s vocals to come alive.
The wait since the band’s debut album ‘0151’ has been a long one, but it has certainly paid off. Their lyrical excellence and promising narratives definitely build up an image of an optimistic future. Their 2022 UK tour will be the first opportunity to hear these new tracks, so grab your tickets before they sell out!
