Orchards

For most artists, one of the happiest days of your fledgling career is the release of your debut album and in March 2020, Brighton’s indie/alt-poppers Orchards were all set for their deserved crack on the indie mainstream.

With a loyal fanatical fanbase built from years of hard work, critical praise from the likes of Huw Stephens (Radio6Music), Noisey, DIY, Line of Best Fit and more, spots on Spotify's New Music Friday, extensive tours booked across the UK and EU, and success at SXSW the previous year, it all looked like the stage was set for them to shine. Then of course the week of their album release, a global pandemic intervened. With touring cancelled and music obviously taking a back seat to wider issues, the band were left to reflect on what might have been in 2020/21. Despite this, the band have locked themselves away and rallied with new music – the irresistible Trust Issues EP. And while their glittery bombastic power indie-pop shows no sign of retreating, the EP has certainly taken on an edgier, darker lyrical tone. From the anti-establishment ‘Leave Us Here We’re Fine’ to anti love-songs ‘Drive Me Home’ and ‘Wrong Shoes’ the band have found their targets and aren’t letting up; all the way from the attack on the close-minded on ‘Wonderful’ to the anti-media message of ‘Hello Insecurity’. As the band say: “2020 has given us Trust Issues hence the name of the record. This EP is an angry (yet happy, we’re still on brand!) call out to all the things that have given us trust issues in the last year. We’re not keeping our mouths shut now. I always say I’ll never write lyrics about something I haven’t personally experienced and at this point I’ve experienced enough in the last year to last me a lifetime” Congratulations universe you’ve finally pissed off the happiest band in math pop.