On his debut EP Oliver Coates makes a bid for the Britpop big time
There's something of a Britpop revival happening at the moment, thanks in part to Blur's reunion and the endlessly turning Oasis rumour mill. But, it's not the genre's old dogs you should be concerned about, there's a new kid on the Britpop block demanding your attention- Coates.
Better known as Oliver Coates, the West London troubadour's debut EP, Vol 1 is a upbeat, bouncy slice of Britpop without the ladishness, lairiness and Liam Gallagher.
The Jamie T-esque storytelling of opener Gin And Tonic tells of the cider-fuelled nights on the tiles with a girl that "Leaves every night in tow with a fat lad with lots of dough". Recalling Treay's own charming tales of late-night debauchery.
It's evident that lyrics are Coates' strong point, whether he's channelling Frank Turner's honesty, backed by rollicking guitars and trumpets on Throw Me Down or Billy Bragg's politically charged songwriting on Talk Of The Town, which tackles vacuous celebrity culture. He might be influenced by Oasis but Vol 1 is no Digsey's Dinner.
Instead it offers a refreshingly modern take on the genre that's sure to put Coates at the forefront of the Britpop revival.
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