SINGLE REVIEW | NEW HOUSE FARM – WISH YOU’D KNOWN |by Isobel O’Mahony

Bolton band New House Farm are already gifting fans another single from their upcoming debut EP The Art of Figuring it out. “Wish You’d Known”, releasing December 12th, follows the previous release “Home”, the band’s debut single after the band had a little makeover. Manchester indie go-er’s may remember the up and coming indie lads Tbloc, who are the New House Farm were getting to know today. The group’s new material is a different, darker fashion for the band, so the small rebrand is an intriguing new outfit.

“Wish You’d Known” is a classic indie tune with that coming of age feeling that drives the indie scene. It’s got heavier drums for an indie track, that contrast with twinkling electric guitars in the back. Previous single “Home” is a more artistic and moody sound that still keeps that indie feeling. Overall, the band’s production has stepped up since the Tbloc days, working with Liverpool based producer Robert Whiteley, and lead singer Ryan Wood’s vocals have thai gorgeous rasp that represents that 2000’s rock effect.

The song, as told by Wood, is “directed at the people that you expect to help you when you’re struggling and drinking too much but aren’t as supportive as you expect them to be”, and then the better side of that when others are there for you “when you’ve treated them badly”. The chorus’ lyrics of “Well I’ve been drinking when I’m on my own/ I wish you’d known, I wish you’d known better” show these conflicting feelings. The “better” being left off the singles title provides an enigma, as if you’re in an argument with yourself over whose fault things are in a situation. Whilst its a simple lyric, it rings home to many and provides that deeper, darker vibe that the group are trying to emulate.

“The Art of Figuring Out” is scheduled for release on January 31st, but the band have both Manchester and London dates coming before the year ends. New House Farm describe the imminent record as “the best seventeen minutes of music that has emerged from our boxy practice room”, and call it the “soundtrack” to their two years of working together. I hope for more catchy tunes like ‘Wish You’d Known’ but also want to expect the unexpected. The indie scene, despite its name, is getting more mainstream and saturated by the day and I for one want to be surprised, and I think the group’s rebrand has the stellar opportunity to do that.

Image via New House Farm