Brigade are one of those bands who are becomming increasingly difficult to classify. From humble beginnings and being the brother of a massive pop star, Will Simpson’s band have almost gone from being the underground, almost cult-like fresh faced kids, to a band who seem set on doing big things and creating monstrously big rock songs. Could there be a clue as to there aspirations in the releasing of a double A-side single, the first time they’ve done this.

Personally, it’s brilliant to see ‘Stunning’ get a single release; when I first reviewed the album for the this very website, I concluded that it probably should’ve been the first single. It’s every bit the anthemic, radio friendly rock tune, the sort of thing that Brigade need to hoist themselves into the mainstream. For every ounce of sugary sweet pop melodies that escape your speakers during ‘Stunning’, Brigade don’t want to rest on those laurels, which is probably why ‘Stunning’ is placed after another song. ‘Sink, Sink, Swim’ is every bit as appealing, but for completely different reasons.

The more dynamic of the two does have a chorus worthy of hours of airplay, but it gets to it in a much more distinguished and stylistic fashion. Brigade don’t forget where they come from, it’s clear to see, in releasing these two tracks together they’re demonstrating a masterful knack for pulling off a big chorus. Add in the now almost clichéd break with acoustic guitar and soft chorus vocals before a final massive chorus and you get the final piece of the puzzle. Then when ‘Stunning’ comes in it really does smack you in the face. Brigade are still very much an underground entity, however there’s a definite feeling of them striving for greater things. These two singles are a great insight into that ever developing sound, these may not be the singles to make them big overnight, but they’re getting there.