Swansea poet rock laureates Trampolene are back with two new singles.
I first came across Trampolene whilst browsing through YouTube in around late 2015. Out of my many teenage internet discoveries, the Swansea outfit were probably one of the better ones. For me personally, they had everything I wanted from a band: poetic, kitchen-sink lyrics with fast guitars and a Fred Perry season ticket. Whilst the national hymns of Manic Street Preachers and Stereophonics remain synonymous with Cymru and its people, Trampolene were the first band I encountered that made Welsh youth culture accessible to outsiders. Poems detailing ketamine trips and equally mind-shattering trips to Poundland on their early EPs provide shades of Alex Turner’s social commentary of South Yorkshire in Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. Having since coincidentally moved from London to Swansea myself, the band’s back catalogue has truly become the soundtrack to my university years.
The contrasting sounds of the two singles highlight the depth of Jones’ song writing ability as the effortless transition from a stripped-back, thought-provoking melody to fervid indie anthem between tracks is exemplified. According to Jones, lead single ‘Thinking Again’ is about “making up your mind and then immediately unmaking the making of your mind followed by the pretense of unmaking the making of your mind followed by the unbelievable and descendable angle of the unmaking of the making of the mind” - so, make up your mind about that!
I opt for a simpler life and therefore interpret the song as a tribute to the familiar feeling of wondering whether you really made the right decision about that girl. Pressed through a strong bassline and lulling backing vocals, the subject matter evokes a cinematic level of poignancy from the very first listen. The accompanying music video, directed by Ricky Allen, nicely compliments the psychological component to the lyrics as we see an aging couple humorously combust under customary lockdown domestic pressures. The return of Kyle Williams on drums is evident in ‘Sort Me Out’ as the track’s almost synth-pop-esque beginnings are quickly abandoned in favour of trademark raucous guitar sounds from Jones and Wayne Thomas. An ornate, free-flowing verse then leads us into the snappy, exhilarating chorus that gives ‘Sort Me Out’ real mosh-pit anthem energy. “Will you sort me out/Cos I’m inside out” - a seemingly loose reference to playground love song ‘The Gangway’ off their debut Swansea to Hornsey album - neatly connects a swelling history to what is likely a new coming-of-age step for the band. The music video, charmingly released on Christmas Day, is highly fitting as it shows the band performing live under a backdrop of the Welsh flag - which lists each member of the trio and stands strong whilst blue and red distortion visuals invade the stage.
The trio’s work rate in turning over new music is mightily commendable. It was only a touch over a year ago that I watched them play MOTH Club in Hackney in anticipation of the release of LOVE NO LESS THAN A QUEEN - and here they are already with two new singles, a new album release date, and another Soccer AM appearance under their strap.
The release of Rules of Love & War on the 17th March 2023 will coincide with their ten-year anniversary as a band, adding to what has already become a deep body of work. Lead singer Jack Jones exhibits a cultural influence you feel goes beyond scrappy nights on Wind Street and the local legacy of Dylan Thomas. As such, it is no surprise when you discover that Swansea Jack - not to be confused with the black retriever who spent the 1930s fetching fallen locals from the docks (although both boast a longish coat) - has previously spent time touring and writing in South America with Pete Doherty. The band’s attachment to The Libertines has also taken them around Europe and into support slots in major UK venues, making you feel they have a lot further to go on their already impressive journey.
Rules of Love & War is out on the 17th March 2023. Mark your calendars....
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