Imagine the beautifully gloomy romance of the British seaside, tragic tales of heartache, irresistibly emotional melodies and simple poetry in one glossy package… It’s the album you’ve been subconsciously waiting for. Funtimes is finally here and The Heartbreaks debut album is nothing short of flawless.
From the first track to the last, Funtimes is ultimately perfect and if you’re one of the lucky few who managed to snap up the limited edition white LP on Record Store Day, the physical product is every inch as mesmerising as the album’s sugary, sentimental sound.
The most striking thing about Funtimes is the effortless balance between heartfelt angst and punchy sweetness. Album opener ‘Liar, My Dear’ is a spine-chilling tornado of blunt anguish whereas final track ‘I Didn’t Think It Would Hurt to Think of You’ sways towards a softer sound which embodies the rare British summer sunshine, despite the deep longing behind the lyrics by drummer Joseph Kondras. Both of these tracks are Heartbreaks classics, even though they are wildly different; it’s this variety that avoids a monotonous vibe and singles the Morecambe four-piece out as a band with the ability to be versatile and consistently interesting. Dance-inducing beats are provided by the delightfully erratic new single ‘Delay, Delay’, a catchy tune which captures the spirit behind enthusiastic song writing and one whose lyrics are instantly memorable. Proper guitar music is also given an outing by the jangly riff of ‘Save Our Souls’ and the wonderfully atmospheric melody of ‘Remorseful’.
One of The Heartbreaks greatest influences shine through the impeccably well-written instrumental in ‘Jealous, Don’t You Know’, which acts as a sort of homage to one of Manchester’s most famous exports, The Smiths, who The Heartbreaks have noted as an important inspiration. However, a Smiths-esque tinge doesn’t just appear here; it runs throughout thanks to Joseph’s stunningly poetic yet observational lyrics as they portray feelings in their rawest and most genuine form, much like Morrissey’s.
Of course, no Heartbreaks song would be complete without Matthew Whitehouse’s powerful vocals. He opens his mouth and out comes a stream of sincerity and all-consuming emotion. New track ‘Polly’, my personal favourite from the album, tells a serious story about becoming estranged from someone who is very dear to you and Matthew’s achingly genuine style of singing almost makes the experience described by the song tangible. ‘Polly’ is a toe-tapper with a melancholy edge and yet again, another very individual piece of music.
For those who had started to believe that modern music had descended into a downwards spiral of manufactured boy bands and contrived solo artists, The Heartbreaks are a gleaming beacon of hope. Armed with Funtimes, they’re here to prove that real pop music is not dying out. Funtimes has got absolutely everything you could ever want in an album and so it’s an astounding example of how a true indie-pop debut should sound. It doesn’t just showcase one particular perspective or one particular feeling, making its meaning accessible and relatable for everyone. Whatever you do, buy this album. If you don’t, you could miss something very special indeed.
Discover The Heartbreaks: Official // Myspace // Facebook
Purchase Funtimes from RecordStore // iTunes
By Elizabeth Coop
Dance Yrself Clean
