"One of Glasgow's most energetic indie-rock bands" is how Chris Greig & The Merchants have been described, and it's hard to argue with that when listening to their newest release, Silent Disco. The track absolutely exudes energy: from the sparkling, attention-grabbing opening solo guitar riff right through to the cheeky slapped-bass in the outro.
This energy is well supported by the strong, chunky drums throughout - I've always enjoyed that feel of the rhythm pushing things forward purposefully and firmly, and this is a big feature here. And then, the drum sound really opens up with loads of cymbals leading into the chorus.
Silent Disco is pretty short - just over two-and-a-half minutes - but this may be a calculated decision to end on a high, and keep the listener wanting more. It definitely works here. This is a track that you'll be tempted to put on repeat just so you can keep singing along to the ridiculously catchy chorus.
You could be fooled into thinking it's quite a simple song. In some way it is, with nicely building verses and that deceptively sticky chorus (absolute earworm material). But listen more closely, and you realise how much thought and hard work has gone into this. It's very cleverly written and produced, and the vocals sensitively tell a really touching story of friendship.
I actually hadn't come across this band before listening to this song, but having done some digging in the back catalogue, I can see how they have been evolving a sound. You can feel a certain level of experimentation going on in Silent Disco, but it's not overdone or contrived. With some bands, there's experimentation for experimentation's sake, and that quickly gets annoying; but in Silent Disco, it's more subtle: hints of extra filters and other production touches (listen for that little hint of echo on the vocals in the verses, and then again ending out the chorus), and that strident lead guitar riff which sounds almost bell-like. Importantly, it all comes together to feel accomplished, confident and cohesive.
And perhaps more significantly, the band is staying true to form, keeping the elements that work, but not afraid to throw in those extra touches to make their song really shine.
Over a relatively short period, since they morphed from a solo project to a quartet, Chris Greig & The Merchants have got themselves well established in the incredible Scottish indie scene, and have been finding wider success too. Listening to Silent Disco it's easy to see why.
Look out for the band on the road again soon - they're headlining Broadcast in Glasgow on 9th October, and I'm hoping for more dates, perhaps nearer to my usual stomping grounds in the English Midlands. Their feel good energy is something much needed at the moment.
(Image credit: Blair Burnett Media)