ALEX SPENCER – THERE’S GOTTA BE MORE – EP REVIEW

It’s been a sharp rise for Alex Spencer since being discovered busking on the streets of Manchester a mere few years ago, capturing the attention of listeners and watchers worldwide. Since releasing his first single last year via Modern Sky UK, ‘A Night to Waste’, Spencer has gained an increasing number of plaudits from the likes of BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 6 and more. His other achievements include recently playing a live session on John Kennedy’s Radio X show and also being the first musician to play live on Sky Sports News. All of these are all the more impressive given that he is just seventeen.

Spencer’s second EP, titled ‘There’s Gotta Be More‘, released earlier this month on the 11th July, was recorded whilst he was still at school and is already a more mature, fleshed out, project than his first EP, ‘One Step Forward’, released last year.

The opening track of There’s Gotta Be More, called ‘Love And Let Go’, bounces and fizzes into a pre-chorus filled with breaks that help keep the track flowing. This is thanks, in part, to the muffled bass and rhythm hooks that give the track a certain airiness, allowing Spencer’s vocals to flit through the track with a bright innocence, until he reaches the chorus where he opens up and shows his yearning heart. “I don’t want to love and let go. For you, the one who got away.”

There’s also a niggling texture to ‘Love and Let Go’, provided by a lead guitar that forces its way into the chorus. Optimism is still very much at the forefront of the track melodically, but the conflicting themes add a sense of struggle to an otherwise bouncy track.

‘Nightmares’, Spencer’s second track on the EP, feels wholly optimistic and should be a candidate for the next Fifa game, as stretchy guitars bring both nineties and noughties hopeful tones. There is a temptation early on to sonically associate this track with the likes of Reverend and the Makers and Blossoms. However, ‘Nightmares’ takes an unexpected turn in the bridge where Spencer switches up and begins singing in Spanish against a poppy backbeat.

Later track, also titled ‘There’s Gotta Be More’, is more snappier than the first two tracks where Spencer’s optimism perhaps begins to wane and shows his desire to contrast child innocence with adult realities.

Spencer says about this EP, “Based on personal experiences, the raw and introspective writing evokes nostalgia and reflection. The project aims to connect deeply with listeners, highlighting life’s complexities and search for meaning”.

That search for meaning is epitomised by closing track ‘Fear Will Kill The Future’. It’s a call to arms for all generations to do better and be more for each other, whilst Spencer also explores the difficulties his generation may face when they seek opportunity. It’s a thoughtful and abrasive end to ‘There’s Gotta Be More’ that hints at more well-rounded, versatile and considered tracks to come from Spencer in the future.

Alex Spencer is playing the Robin Park Arena, Wigan, supporting, The Lathums, Jake Bugg and Brooke Combe on July 19th.

UPCOMING GIGS