Album review: Uzumaki – waded

‘I have no money but fuck it, I’m in Heaven,’ sings Uzumaki frontman Alex Cheung on Heaven, the second track on his band’s excellent debut LP. That breezy, carefree attitude sums up the sound of the London-via-Norwich four-piece, whose music oozes sheer fun. Throwing things right back to the ’90s waves of grunge, alt.rock and Britpop, Uzumaki have breathed new life into a style of music that’s already undergoing something of a renaissance.

Despite its songs being ostensibly straightforward and no-frills, waded is an album that still manages to showcase the power of brilliant guitar work, with the playing of Alex and fellow axeman Nick Allen shining throughout. There’s no ridiculous intricacies or solos going on, just smart, infectious songwriting that serves their vibrant sound so well.

The highlights are numerous, from the fuzzy indie-punk of the title-track to the summery fun of Game We Play and the riffy Look Outside. Scenes Of Beauty, Day Of Days and Downtown (Riding Around) – the latter of which radiates adolescent nonchalance – are all similarly feel-good efforts.

’90s-fever may be in focus right now thanks to the return of a certain pair of Mancunian brothers, but with young bands like Uzumaki staking a claim, you’d be well advised to let others worry about the exploits of ‘RKID’ and instead give waded a chance. There’s no looking back in anger here: Uzumaki’s tunes are certainly nostalgic, but they’re also pure, unadulterated fun, and we could all use a little bit of that.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: Weezer, Blur, Gerard Way

waded is released on September 13 via Everything Sucks