If you’re looking for new, buzzworthy guitar bands in the alternative scene, you’d be wise to turn towards Ireland. From post-punk and indie to deafening noise rock, there’s something special in the water. The latest thrilling release comes from Belfast’s New Pagans and their sophomore album Making Circles of Our Own. With a seal of approval from tourmates Skunk Anansie and Frank Tuner, New Pagans are on the rise with their confident new album.
Making Circles of Our Own hones the band’s sound, the sharp-edged indie comparable to both Paramore’s self-titled era and The Menzingers alibiet with a bit more DIY edge. The likes of ‘Fresh Young Overlook’ take their time to build up before exploding into guitar-driven anthems. The album is marked with riffs that are straightforward but that always make you pay attention, particularly on their recent single ‘Find Fault With Me’ and later on ‘There We Are John’. Ending on a slower-paced note, ‘The State of My Love’s Desires’ completes the album, and as a whole Making Circles of Our Own is an impressive outing for the band.
Lyndsey McDougall’s vocals are what take New Pagans to another level. Her words are punchy and crystal clear, full of strong emotion and power. Her voice is shown off in particular on ‘Karin Was Not A Rebel’ and ‘Better People’. The main theme that carries through Making Circles of Our Own is one of empowerment, particularly finding confidence as a woman in the exhausting society in which we live. But they don’t just stick to conventional themes. McDougall’s artistic background makes itself known on ‘Karin Was Not A Rebel’, a reference to designer Karin Bergöö Larsson.
There are some allusions to Ireland’s turbulent past on the album closer ‘The State of My Love’s Desires’, a song that appreciates the beauty that exists in the country despite the conflicts exist there, both widespread and domestic. This calmer number allows the bands’ Irish accents to shine through; something that I always appreciate (I might well be biased since I’m from a town about half an hour down the road from them). Including strings and vocal harmonies gives us a final taste of all that New Pagans are capable of, and how far they can push the boundaries of indie in future outings.
On Making Circles of Our Own, New Pagans act as fine ambassadors for the growing rock scene in Belfast, showcasing the extent of their talents on a detailed album that’s full of pleasant surprises and charm.