“It’s been 84 years,” I dramatically whisper to myself à la the GIF of old Rose from the „Titanic“ film, when I finally hit play on 86TVs’ debut EP „You Don’t Have To Be Yourself Right Now“. After secretly making music together for several years, the band announced its existence over 18 months ago and has finally released their first collection of recorded music. Made up of Felix and Hugo White from The Maccabees, their other brother Will White (formerly of Talk Taxis and solo project BLANc), and drummer Jamie Morrison from Stereophonics, the band has taken an unusual route to get to this point. Having supported indie heavyweight Jamie T with no music released, and then a headline tour of their own with one single behind them, 86TVs feel anomalous in a musical landscape where starting a band seems to entail frequent drops of music and shouting your existence on the hamster wheel of social media algorithms. But the result has been immense anticipation for a debut EP that arrives self-assured and gleaming.
On „You Don’t Have To Be Yourself Right Now“ the White brothers showcase their unique ability to contribute as three different lyricists, vocalists and perspectives on polished indie rock/pop songs. Throughout the EP, the baton is adeptly passed between the three brothers with each taking a turn on lead songwriting and vocals (Hugo on ‘Worn Out Buildings’ and ‘Dreaming’, Felix on ‘Higher Love’, and Will on ‘Spinning World’). On first listen it can often be difficult to distinguish who exactly is singing, with even the harmonies occasionally giving the illusion of one voice. Where strikingly vulnerable lyrics are sung, the brotherhood of voices adds extra elements of reassurance and catharsis (‘You don’t have to be yourself right now / Just give it time, you’ll work that out’) or straight up giddy dopamine rushes on the chorus of soaring second single ‘Higher Love’. The latter song being a sweaty, adrenaline-fuelled staple in 86TVs’ live sets, although the recorded version probably benefits from omitting Felix’s trademark enthusiastic scream.
While the sibling dynamic of 86TVs is intrinsic to the band’s DNA, the contribution of drummer Jamie Morrison to their sonic profile can’t be overlooked. ‘Worn Out Buildings’ is a prime example of Morrison’s energetic playing style either thundering the song along or skilfully drawing back to emphasise the standalone lyrics and guitars. When listening to the percussive backbone of 86TVs, it’s easy to understand that the later addition of Morrison to the band’s line-up was due to both talent and his radiation of positive vibes, which ooze into the uplifting music. Closing track ‘Dreaming’ audibly reflects Morrison’s role as the steady heartbeat of the band as the drums provide a tender backdrop to the brothers’ lullaby-esque vocals and shimmering guitars.
Speaking of shimmering guitars, it may be unsurprising to fans of The Maccabees that the band’s signature interweaving guitars are present across ‘You Don’t Have To Be Yourself Right Now’. The ability of Felix and Hugo to create expansive cinematic soundscapes that encompass glimmering guitars is reminiscent of their former band’s last couple of records and leads to welcome pockets of nostalgia throughout 86TVs’ debut release. Combined with the pirouetting basslines of brother Will and above-mentioned vocal harmonies, the nostalgia and freshness meld to create something new yet familiar, like a comfort blanket that’s gone through the washing machine with a rogue red sock.
‘You Don’t Have To Be Yourself Right Now’ is testament to 86TVs quietly taking their time to develop a sound and four-way brotherhood that is unique to this band and shines through on their debut release. Although this EP may have felt like a long time coming, the end result feels like the stars aligning on a much anticipated and accomplished debut. As a listener, all that’s left to wonder is how long until the next batch of 86TVs songs drop… and what the hell are barbed wire hands?