Opening on a frenetic but sharp and steady beat, ‘If I Were King’, the debut single from Manchester’s Nicholas James Mallins, is far removed from anything his previous Smiths-esque indie band Mutineers ever produced. This time around there is much more of a pop vibe than before. The rhythm holds fast as a piano is added in after the obligatory four-bars. Mallins’ slightly breathy vocals begin thirty seconds into the over-five-minute track. The single’s strength, especially earlier on into the track itself, is in its lofty and high-reaching vocal harmonies in the quite frankly stunning choruses, even if overall the vocals – as nice as they are – aren’t as strong as they were with Mutineers. Then again, it’s tough going out on your own. Speaking of the choruses, the oft-repeated line, “I’ve been living in a buttercup” sounds evermore bonkers with each repetition.
Its rhythm is as steady as a train, and still as sharp and fast-paced as it was from the outset, pulsating throughout without a falter. But what really grabs the listener’s attention is the piano that ebbs and flows, dropping in and out along with those breathy-but-nice vocals, particularly from two-minutes-and-fifty-eight seconds when the music is really given its chance to shine brightly all by itself for a while. It changes tack a little later, adding in other elements and sounds that aren’t picked up on earlier as it goes, with more of those brilliant vocal harmonies. Really, the only thing letting it down is the slightly indulgent, drawn-out ending, choosing to end at 5:19 instead of the logical 4:06. For a debut, it’s a bloody good effort. Just imagine for moment, a remix, played to a packed club… Fantastic, yes?
‘If I Were King’ is part one of a planned three-part movement entitled ‘Le Rebutant‘. If this is anything to go by, expect something special from parts two and three. Mutineers were something of a cult band in their native Manchester, and I suspect Nicholas James Mallins may well follow suit with his solo material; Mallins is surely one to be watching out for in future.
RELEASE DATE: 9th March 2015
LINKS:
WEBSITE: http://www.nicholasjamesmallins.com/
VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/114928997
