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Review: The Heartbreaks – Funtimes [Album]

Nusic Sounds // "Not so much tacky but most definitely tragic and beautiful for the most part; Funtimes is an extremely accomplished debut"

by Candi H, July 1st, 2012 and has been Read 1115 times.
Last Edited by: Candi H July 2nd, 2012.

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British quartet, The Heartbreaks, formed in 2009 in the seaside resort town of Morecambe in Lancashire. Having signed to new independent label, Nusic Sounds, the band have now released their debut LP, Funtimes. This indie-pop band’s name may fit with their songs about doomed romance and themes of lust and jealousy, but why such an upbeat album title? Well, the group made up of frontman Matthew Whitehouse, drummer Joseph Kondras, guitarist Ryan Wallace and bassist Chris ‘Deaks’ Deakins, it seems love a bit of irony. With song titles like ‘Jealous, Don’t You Know’ and ‘Liar, Mr Dear’ suggest, this is far from a happy-go-lucky filled collection of birthday party songs. The bottom-line is that The Heartbreaks love nothing more than the great British seaside, and garnered all their inspiration for the album from their coastal hometown - what they describe as “tacky and tragic yet beautiful”. Production duties fell into a number of capable hands including Tristan Ivemy (Frank Turner), Joe Cross (Sound Of Arrows) and former Orange Juice frontman, Edwyn Collins (The Cribs) with his long-term friend and producer, Sebastian Lewsley.

In only a short amount of time, they have racked up tour support slots with some impressive names in the pop/indie-rock arena including more recently, the slick-haired synth-pop duo, Hurts and the undisputed King of emotional-wreck writing himself, Morrissey (also from Lancashire, actually). Straight away it was apparent that the famous quiffed singer is a huge influence (no surprise there) on this band. Funtimes opens with the wry yet bubbly ‘Liar, My Dear’ – “The rainfall in Morecambe embitters me. It fucks my hair and stings my cheeks, but you know that I am fond of you and all the things we’re yet to do”, Matthew softly croons with a distinctive Elvis Costello like twang. It starts off with a 90’s alternative-pop feel before comfortably settling into a modern, mellow Two Door Cinema Club type vibe with a pulsating bassline and an impressively catchy indie-disco beat.

WATCH // 'Liar, My Dear'

Single ‘Delay, Delay’ continues with the contrasting lively music and bleak lyrics – “Has anything that I said resonated with you? I sat there as you bled (from wounds caused by others)”, the singer faintly inquires before the “do-do-dooh” intro begins; in an extremely similar fashion to The Kooks’ hit, ‘Always Where I Need To Be’. As well as Mr Costello, I hear moments that are akin to former Suede frontman, Brett Anderson, and his slightly shrill tone. Although this style of music isn’t normally up my street, this track in particular is memorable and appealing; more so because of how they’ve made the song sound so happy and summery whilst actually being cold and spiteful. I really admire it when a band demands your attention like that and bares their souls without being too obvious about it; the usual way being to slow things down, get moody and generally go for the ballad approach.

WATCH // 'Delay, Delay'

There’s more accusations thrown in the wonderfully written ‘Hand On Heart’ and yet an apology surfaces in ‘Remorseful’. The first is a Cure-esque late 80’s jam with more witty lyrics than you can throw your fist at – “You’re just like me, struggling uncontrollably. It’ll grow tiresome soon” Matthew delivers with an enthusiastic bite while Ryan’s subtle acoustic guitar chords and Deaks’ restrained bass groove accompanies him with a cool bravado. The song grows in the big and bold choruses, with Joseph’s drumming taking charge; powerful cymbal crashes increase the volume and help cement the song’s message.

The second is a sharp, harmony-filled number with thwumping bass, tambourine and more elaborate guitar effects and pedals in possession. “I know it’s a blow for you to know that you can’t trust me as far as you can throw me. I am sincere, so listen here; I’m remorseful and that’s all”, the gloriously playful refrain plays out.

By this time, The Heartbreaks had already proved to me that they have a knack for writing a damn good melody. And there was more to come, both in single ‘Jealous, Don’t You Know’ and the exciting and fiery spaghetti-western tinged ‘Gorgeous’. The single flits between moody minor notes and jaunty major chords; another that plays to their strengths. It’s a tragic tale of insecurity and hurt – “I’ll never be man enough...I can’t think of anything articulate to say to make you look my way”, the frontman unashamedly spills out. As for the other, ‘Gorgeous’ is probably Funtimes’ most ambitious track. It’s a confident song with a southern-rock vibe against a modern indie tempo. And despite being the shortest here, it makes a massive impact. Put your Stetson on and grab a partner – “Gorgeous, you’re gorgeous! Wo-oah” Ahem.

WATCH // 'Jealous, Don't You Know'

I don’t have a whole lot of criticism thus far, although I was a bit peeved when I reached the sugary sweet track ‘Polly’; breaking free from the clever sarcasm and taunting to become soppy for a moment. And spelling out the track’s title mid-song didn’t change my mind – “P-O-L-L-Y...Do you think about me?” No, sorry. I’ve already forgotten about this one. As far as the two closing numbers go, ‘Save Our Souls’ and ‘I Didn’t Think It Would Hurt To Think Of You’ do a good job. The latter being the more successful with big pop melodies and layered backing vocals surrounded by jangly guitar riffs. There’s a really cool albeit brief spoken line; a bit of punk poetry if you will, that has a brash British lilt – “For I am but a boy, but I won’t be soon. The consequences of the things we do – they’ll be felt long after we are gone”, is captured just before the big chorus melody jumps back in, closing the story of young romance in a small town.

Not so much tacky but most definitely tragic and beautiful for the most part; Funtimes is an extremely accomplished album for a debut. The Heartbreaks manage to capture the essence of young love at the seaside; fun and riotous as well as gloomy and ill-fated. Wise beyond their years, this band have the makings of something great. If you like the idea of The Cure or Morrissey’s bleak poetic tales paired with The Kooks or The Wombat’s up-tempo and melodic indie, then this will indeed float your boat.

Funtimes is out now.

Worth Listening To...

• Delay, Delay
• Remorseful
• Jealous, Don't You Know