After a busy festival season, The Lilacs are back with a new track. With a catalogue full of high-octane anthems such as ‘Hopeless Romantic’, ‘Sticky Dancefloors’ and ‘Vicarage Road’, their newest single ‘Where’ve You Been Hiding’ looks to be another fan favourite and is the first release from their highly anticipated second EP, ‘The 395 (To Forever)’ which will be released on March 31st.
With a summer full of slots at festivals such as The Isle of Wight, Tramlines and Y Not, the working-class lads have turned heads on the indie scene since forming in 2018. The four-piece is made up of Ollie Anglesea (vocals), Sam Birchall (lead guitar), Matt Johnson (bass) and Dave Gomersall (drums).
‘Where’ve You Been Hiding’ opens in a ballad-like manner that seems restrained compared to their previous single ‘Hopeless Romantic’ and is reminiscent of the 2019 single ‘Something or Nothing’. The tempo picks up with a sparkly riff and some steady percussion work as Anglesea’s increasingly intensifying vocals take things up another notch.
The track retains the boisterous, anthemic quality of previous hits and its melodic chorus and singability will lend ‘Where’ve You Been Hiding’ an extra facet when played live. The lyrics detail new love, ‘I’m not sure, that I’ve seen your face before’, and explore the difficulties of forming meaningful relationships in the modern world. It’s easy to see why Birchall claims that ‘it feels like the start of a new era for The Lilacs’.
With songs charting night outs (‘Sticky Dancefloors’), girls that have ‘probably been with a thousand guys’ (‘Red Flags & Warning Signs’) and ones that you don’t want your mother to meet (‘That’s Not Me’), aspects of the bands shtick is a couple decades out of date and harks back to mid-2000s landfill drudge. However, on ‘Where’ve You Been Hiding’ The Lilacs have revealed a more nuanced and developed sound.
Anglesea’s vocals adopt a melancholic tinge and the track is layered with newfound sensitivity. The influence of producer Joe Cross (Courteeners) is evident and the Manchester band’s influence can be heard all over the track. As The Lilacs prepare for their headline show at the 02 Ritz this weekend, it is clear they have their sights set on success.
FOLLOW THE LILACS ON INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // X
CLICK HERE FOR MORE RGM MUSIC NEWS!