EP Review: Lucia and the Best Boys - The State of Things
This truly excellent EP cements Lucia and the Best Boys’ position at the forefront of Glasgow’s indie rock scene. It opens with the four-piece’s latest single ‘Perfectly Untrue’, a tribute to Fridays gone by which laments the end of a significant relationship, featuring the all-too-relatable lyrics ‘Lately I’ve gotten good at lying / Fine on the outside but inside, I’m dying’. The track is driven by the amalgamation of Lucia Fairfull’s vibrant vocals and guitarist Adam Campbell’s rugged riffs, which sound just as good on the twentieth listen as on the first. Directed by Rianne White, the recent video for the single is well worth a watch - Fairfull sports some incredible suits against edgy backdrops.
The State of Things progresses into slower second track ‘Somewhere In Heaven’, which opens with a gentle rhythm from drummer Ally Scott, soon followed by Chris Ballantyne’s deft bassline. The piano-led backing track has a cinematic feel to it, and Fairfull’s complementing vocal is continually strong. Lyrically, the song tells a tale of wistful reflection on lost love in a manner that is simultaneously familiar and brand-new.
Third track ‘Forever Forget’ is marked by jangly guitars and a different kind of vocal from Fairfull - the listener is treated to subtle harmonies as the track builds to its chorus. In the bridge, recurring lines ‘I’m sorry you feel this way / Incapable of making a change’ are particularly poignant, and are set to a key change from Campbell.
The EP is rounded off with the ballad ‘Let Go’. Its lyrics highlight the confusing and often contradictory nature of desire; ‘I want you to love me / But it’s really no big deal’. Fairfull’s trademark ‘oohs’ help to create a heady sense of nostalgia, combining perfectly with the music.
The State of Things is pure class - it should be prescribed listening for anyone going through a break-up. As it draws to a close, Lucia and the Best Boys leave the listener hankering for more. Here’s hoping we’ll be treated to an album from the band in the near future.
Words: Rosie Crabbe