EP REVIEW | THE CLAUSE – WEEKEND MILLIONAIRE By Keira Knox

Following a relentless summer tour that included UK tours with The Sherlocks, The K’s, and The Lottery Winners, as well as a performance on the main stage at Y-Not, Birmingham four-piece The Clause has released their brand-new EP, ‘Weekend Millionaire.’

Following the phenomenal reception of their debut EP, ‘Pop Culture,’ The Clause have released a new five-track EP that, through lively melodies, enticing choruses, and a sonic landscape influenced by the greats of indie-rock, tells the story of the adventure and challenges of growing up in the shadow of England’s second city. Heavyweights from the independent music scene of the mid-2000s served as inspiration for this reflective, upbeat indie classic.

‘Weekend Millionaire’, the EP’s first tune, is, to be frank, the band’s best work to date. The lyrics of the track discuss the feeling of escapism that comes with the arrival of the weekend, free from the stress and pressure of a weekday. ‘Weekend Millionaire’ is a huge leap musically. Every member gets an opportunity to showcase their talents, everything works out flawlessly. Its contagious vibe, great chorus and incredibly relevant verses, makes it certain to be an indie staple amongst your playlists. With its themes of friendships breaking down, the state of the world today, teenage desire and love, and the exhilaration and pain that accompany a long weekend, ‘Weekend Millionaire’ is incredibly dependable and sing-along-friendly.

Another outstanding track that showcases The Clauses’ remarkable ability to write a catchy melody with social insight is ‘Fever Dream.’ It also contains the refreshing cynicism that comes with living. Pearce Macca’s honest and reflective lyrics, combined with exuberant guitar riffs and synth-infused melodies, evoke the sense of haphazardly, almost optimistically, navigating life’s challenges. With it’s release earlier this summer, ‘Fever Dream’ has quickly become a firm fan favourite.

Speaking to Northern Exposure earlier this summer, lead singer, Pearce Macca told us how this track came to be: “I wrote that song in the shed in the back of my garden, it’s where I do most of my writing! It was one of those songs where I wrote it and didn’t really expect it to go anywhere. It was just a little bit of fun! Then I sent it to the boys, in our WhatsApp chat, asking them to listen to the tune, just a little head bopper, but then they’re all were like “This is really good! We should go and record it next!” We took it into the Vada studio where we’ve recorded all our material up to now, including our new EP that’s coming out in a couple of months. It all just fell into place! I think the lyrics in it are quite personal, they’ll resonate with a lot of people who have been through the same stuff I have! You can pick apart bits during the track! Collectively, it’s probably our favourite yet! We’ll say its our favourite until the next one comes out!”

‘Take Me Home’ is a classic The Clause song that connects the EP’s exploratory spirit with the well-known aspects of their music. It is recognisable and reassuring, reminding us of their origins while demonstrating their ability to combine the elements that shaped their previous work with their developing musical style. Deep base line, gritty guitar riffs and pounding drum beats appear out of the traps into a huge chorus full of venom.

‘Stop the World’ and ‘Never Ending Affair’ introduce fans into a new soundscape in the EP, one we haven’t previously seen from the Birmingham four-piece. Even while ‘Stop The World’ is distinctly The Clause, it follows the trend towards pure guitar pop. The band’s willingness to include a brief bit of observant remark about current events is admirable. Conversely, ‘Never Ending Affair’, a contemplative track in the EP’s line-up, stands out for its acoustic pop atmosphere. In contrast to the band’s typically upbeat style, this song has a lot of sing-along potential and could easily become a fan favourite in intimate venues.

‘Weekend Millionaire’ is a showcase of the band at their best, with tracks that discuss the difficulties of maturing while juggling the demands of contemporary life. It serves as a rallying cry for the underdog and encourages everyone to enjoy the moment despite the pandemonium. This EP confirms The Clause’s status as an among the foremost promising up-and-coming bands in the UK indie scene.

Tickets for The Clause UK Tour 2025 – The Clause