“PLAY THE GAME” – CRUZ SET STRONG SINGLE TO START THE NEW YEAR

SINGLE REVIEW | CRUZ – PLAY THE GAME by Izzy O’Mahony

Sheffield’s upcoming indie boys Cruz have released new single “Play the Game” to kick off the new year. Cruz – “four lads with a vague idea of music”, released their first single “Life of Misery” in 2022 and have since sprouted a respectable cult following throughout the UK, especially in their homestead South Yorkshire.

The band have already sold out the iconic Leadmill on their own and recently joined Birmingham boys The Clause at their Leadmill show too. Having the pleasure of being in the audience that night I can say that it was an absolutely electric set and I could not stop talking about their guitarist’s energy – it was unreal!

“Play the Game” is a head strong indie track if nothing else, each element seems simple at first listen but work together to make a really catchy tune. It has sincerely direct and almost more importantly booming vocals, something that the indie scene is enjoying currently in lots of other artists. Cruz may be a young band on the scene but they already know how to amp up a track.

The boys played this at their supporting slot at Leadmill for The Clause in November, and it sent the crowd dizzy (and the dads at the back nodding their heads in approval). “Play the Game” sounds good through your headphones but has its brilliance magnified live on stage. Despite its great impact as a track, it seems almost too clean cut in comparison to the live, amazing chaos.

I want to see Cruz take off bigger than they have and see more people understand how class they are as a live band. I think they are only a few steps away from translating the electric energy from their crowds to their recorded tracks. Again, their lead guitarist seems to go to a different world and I’d love to see a tune that really lets his guitar lose its mind.

“Play the Game” is more than a “vague idea of music” – it’s an understanding of the indie scene today and a reflection of why we love it. Cruz are currently honing their sound and their uniqueness all through the fabulous projection of the talent they have as a band, and the new single is a perfect, loud, “we’re here, get used to it” way to start the year.

photo credit: Neil Hargreaves