A strong debut from a promising local band, 'Still Good' is acutely aware of the wider alternative rock scene whilst remaining true to its stylistic roots.
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Karan Master, the vocalist of new Southampton band The Emergency Please, came to the city several years ago with a band called A Gentleman’s Film, and the trio carved their name into the underground music scene. After they broke up, Master started digging into the roots of his musical style, going back to major influences like The Smashing Pumpkins, Fall Out Boy, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Out of a desire to combine tight alternative rock with funk and neo-soul, he formed The Emergency Please after meeting its other members at a jam night in the city and bonding over their mutual love of the aforementioned sound and improvised live performances.
As a debut, ‘Still Good’ is a very strong single that displays an acute awareness of both the local and national alternative rock scenes. There is a whiff of Deaf Havana in both the lyrics and guitar, which meshes comfortably with the mellow, rolling funk rhythms that permeate the track. It feels focused and driven, but not to the point of being overbearing – on the contrary, it is incredibly easy to listen to. Unlike many young bands, their production is impeccable and, as a result, it doesn’t feel amateurish in the slightest. Put simply, this is an outstanding premiere.
‘Still Good’ is out now via Bandcamp
