Single Review: Working Men's Club - Valleys

It’s easy to hear the 80s influence in ‘Valleys,’ the new single from Working Men’s Club. Before the track even hits its stride, you can tell the group have been heavily influenced by bands like New Order and Depeche Mode. However, far from a simple pastiche - the track pays homage without feeling derivative, as it resonates with a new found confidence from the West Yorkshire band. It is simultaneously retro and futuristic, combining new-wave synths, a dirty bassline and Sydney Minsky-Sargeant’s captivating vocals.

The second single from their upcoming debut album, ‘Valleys’ is a six-and-a-half-minute behemoth. The long, sweeping intro is majestic - with the instrumental slowing building to a magnificent crescendo. As the track is set to be the opener on their eponymous debut, it gives an insight on what to expect from the rest of the record and illustrates how the band are striving for something really special. The lyrics work to help convey the mood of the song, with the combined power of the synths, drum machine, bass and guitar giving ‘Valleys’ a strangely hypnotic quality that makes for a mesmerising listen.

Whether or not ‘Valleys’ is indicative of the musical direction on the new album, Working Men’s Club feel like a band brimming with confidence, who seemingly cannot put a foot wrong. Even the remixes by Graham Massey and Confidence Man are an interesting addition, a testament to both the original work and the producers re-working the track. Without doubt, Working Men’s Club have established themselves as one of THE bands to watch in 2020.

Check out the video below.

Words: Matt Taylor