The Accolades -Inhale | Single Review
March 29 | Written By Simon White
Independent 4-piece The Accolades have arrived on all streaming platforms everywhere with their debut single ‘Inhale’. The Accolades have been gracing ears from Glasgow to Aberdeen (and back) since the hangover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Blazing their own iteration of indie rock, the group have already performed King Tuts New Year’s Revolution Festival, where Britain’s best local venue showcase the best Scottish talent of the new year. A massive feat for a band who only released their debut single in February 2023! Even in the bustling local music scene that is Glasgow, The Accolades have found a way to be heard, and with tracks like ‘Inhale’, there are very few questions to be asked. I would opt for just the one question – when are you releasing single two?
‘Inhale’ opens with a gloomy intro, some perfect use of half-time drumming and deep echo/delay on the guitar riff. It lasts for just enough time to open a mosh pit down the front, before an indie riff reminiscent of Two Door Cinema Club’s ‘What You Know’ blasts into action. The band do not let up on this energy throughout the track though, replacing instrumentation in the start of the verse with some gruff, powerful vocals. Fan’s have raved about The Accolades’ live performances, and it is easy to see why when the vocals slice through the tension-building drums.
The formula ‘Inhale’ follows is reminiscent of the 2010s era of indie music, where bands like Foals, Vampire Weekend, and Catfish and the Bottlemen were all making a name for themselves. The way the open hi-hat and off-beat snare blends with the guitar’s high- pitched riff throughout the choruses is the cornerstone of the four pieces influences. Not only through the song writing is this influence obvious, however. The sharp production on ‘Inhale’ really adds to the listenability of this track. All elements are audibly clear, just as the indie forefathers imagined. The ability to create a song that is so loud and full of energy, but so intricate and clear is something that The Accolades have nailed here on ‘Inhale’. Right down to the bridge, where the bassline is carrying the melody, the use of repetitive vocals and time-keeping bass drum, all build to the crescendo of the final chorus. Beautiful song writing, with beautiful production.
The group have nailed the 101: How to Write an Indie Banger here on ‘Inhale’, and this should not be passed up on. Whack this on any playlist; it will be sure to get heads bopping along, and the riff will be stuck in listeners head for days. The band are in motion, so get down to one of their upcoming shows for more indie classics in the making. To finish, it would be only apt to repeat a question asked in the introduction: when are The Accolades dropping their next release?
