We’re smack-dab in the middle of a ’90s revival, which is good news these days for English rock trio Darlia. Already drawing comparisons to Nirvana for their grunge-throwback tunes and lead singer Nathan Day’s haircut, the Blackpool-based trio have been dubbed one of the most exciting guitar bands in the UK. But there’s more to their sound than a heavy Seattle influence. Hints of the “new wave of new wave” championed by bands like These Animal Men and S*M*A*S*H* find their way into Darlia’s catalog. The band has not yet released a full length album — that’s slated for release later this year — but their EPs display a lot of potential.
Darlia debuted back in October with the Knock Knock EP, led by the killer single “Queen of Hearts.” The high-octane chorus is a real earworm (you’ll be singing “Ohh Aurora Borealis” for the rest of the afternoon) while the song’s hi-hat dominated verse feels like a vague nod to Franz Ferdinand. It’s grunge for the new era. The Candyman EP followed in April 2014 with a title track straight out of 1994, harmonies and all.
The trio’s newest single, “Dear Diary,” was released just over a week ago and its video makes it premiere today. Watch it below.
Darlia are young — barely out of their teens — and “Dear Diary” is their not-quite-lovesick teenage anthem. “I can be your pretty little dear diary / You can tell me all your secrets,” Day croons. The video sees the band performing mixed with clips of a creepy, dead-eyed girl and her teddy bear.
Are Darlia an early sign of another rock revival similar to the one we experienced in the last decade? It’s hard to tell but as we prepare for a summer full of ’90s nostalgia, Darlia make for the ideal soundtrack.
At present, the band doesn’t have any US tour dates listed but will play festivals in Germany, the UK, and Australia over the summer.
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