STANLEYS NEW SINGLE ‘HE KNOWS’ GETS BETTER WITH EVERY LISTEN

SINGLE REVIEW | STANLEYS – HE KNOWS | by Keira Knox

If you do not know who Stanleys are, then get to know. Stanleys are the most recent among numerous prominent musicians to come out of the Northwestern town of Wigan. Stanleys are destined to carry on the legacy of bands and musicians that hail from Wigan, including The Verve, Starsailor, and The Lathums, who transported their poignant songwriting across the nation.

Whether it is the upbeat and jangly guitars as well as the understated drumbeats that remind you of other fantastic Northern bands like The Smiths or The La’s, or maybe there is just something special about hearing a regional accent sing with such passion. With Jake Dorsman on guitar, Harry Ivory on bass, and Rob Hilton on drums and backing vocals rounding out the lineup, some could say that frontman Tom Concannon’s identifiable and relatable tales are the band’s main attraction. However, the sum total of all these factors is ultimately responsible for Stanleys’ rapid rise to prominence in the Northwest.

With its contagious energy and powerful sound, their new single ‘He Knows‘ is sure to enthral listeners. From their recently revealed upcoming EP, The Gallery which will feature their earlier singles, ‘I’ll Try‘ and ‘She’s Done It Again‘, the song is the third single. The EP will also include the previously unreleased single ‘Anything‘, that vibrates such a unique blend of emotions and melodies. Another significant turning point in the band’s career, ‘He Knows‘ features Stanleys’ trademark mix of intense rhythms, memorable hooks, and reflective lyrics. It also marks the band’s first new music release after selling out their largest-ever headline tour, which included performances at Camden Assembly and Manchester Academy.

‘He Knows‘ has all the catchy melodies that take us to a happy place, combined with Concannon’s tender vocals and harmonies— it is everything we have come to expect from a classic Stanleys track. Stanleys genuine authenticity is clear in this track. The band puts forth an immense amount of labour to produce tracks this effortless; they are destined to be performed in front of thousands of people on a festival main stage. It is the ideal summertime anthem. ‘He Knows‘ is nothing short of astonishing; it gets better with every listen.

Speaking about the upcoming EP, guitarist Jake Dorsman stated:

“The gallery is undoubtedly a culmination of our years together as a band. From the college days beginning as a pub cover act and progressing into performing original material, as well as through the uncertainty of the pandemic and lockdown, all the way to our own headline show at Manchester Academy and having a wealthy catalogue of material. The lyricism and tonality reflects within, and for the first time our ability to look retrospectively at our journey so far. We believe it’s our best work yet and we hope you enjoy it with every listen.”

Pre-orders for The Gallery on vinyl are now open for those who want to own a copy of the EP before its official release in autumn 2024. Due to the limited supply, this is a unique chance for fans to acquire a piece of Stanley’s musical legacy. The band also has a busy summer ahead of them, with appearances at numerous festivals like Truck Festival, Kendal Calling, YNOT? Festival, and many more! Stanleys will open for fellow Wigan musician Richard Ashcroft at his homecoming gig at Robin Park Arena in a significant supporting role.