- Album: 'Dance to the Radio'
- Genre: 'Indie'
- Catalogue No: '1st July 2022'
Our Rating:
After everything that’s happened in the world, and in the music industry, it’s a genuine source of joy that Dance to the Radio are still going following their 2017 relaunch after a six—year hiatus, and still providing an outlet for local talent. ‘Local’ perhaps carries some negative connotations for some, but no-one ever questions ‘local’ when a label is London-centred, so it shouldn’t be an issue when it’s in relation to a city the size of Leeds, especially not considering the wealth and range of music emerging from it. The real issue is that most of the industry is so focussed on London, as if London was the whole of England the and ‘United’ Kingdom, and that acts who aren’t based in London don’t have the same opportunities, making labels like this even more important.
As Jake Whiskin’s latest offering – his twelfth release on the label – shows, the label is committed to promoting acts they believe in, and ‘Headfirst Dive’ is an assured slice of tuneful indie. It’s got a nice, thick, fuzzy bass filling out the acoustic-led tune, and Jake’s voice is sensitive, yet strong and soulful, soaring through a hooky chorus with a keen melody.
