The Music – Welcome To The North

This second half of the Leeds Rocker's 2016 reissues 'Welcome To The North' is the strongest The Music ever were. Backed by iconic producer Brendan O'Brien they given a chance to make their sound bigger and better, so this album was always going to be a sure fire hit. Wearing their inspirations firmly on their sleeve the band were able to really turn the dial up from their last effort which saw them in more of a psychedelic haze, wowing crowds and journalists alike with the singles 'Breakin', 'Freedom Fighters' & 'Bleed From Within'.
Although most of the electronic elements from their debut took a backseat on the first disc it makes up for that in the bonus CD where we are treated with a batch of stunning early 00's remixes by the likes of John Digweed and Andy Holt (AKA Redanka), giving us a chance to see the first in what was to become a b-side staple in that decade's indie scene.
Also included in the set are little snippets from the previous album. Along with Nick McCabe's saucy remix of 'The People' we get some different takes on early single 'Getaway' - which comes with a slower more brooding sound - a reproduced version of 'The Walls Get Smaller' and 'Middle Of Nowhere' in a cheeky stripped back demo style, proving that The Music were more than capable to have fun with their back catalogue.
This sadly would be the last of the reissue series for the foursome, as is hinted in the booklet notes that due to singer Rob Harvey's battle with depression & substance abuse led to a fairly low key third album that barely left a mark in the charts (however it would have been lovely to see it given the green light to bookend this set).
Weather you have a passing interest in blasting Indie Rock from the beginning of the 21st century or a love for dance mixes that came after the Disco resurgence but before the childish craze of Dubstep & EDM then this release is certainly worth looking into as there is a little something there for everyone.