The Mocking Jays – ‘Edge Of Your Knife’ EP Review

             I’ve just seen this talented bunch of youngsters play live at Rough Trade Nottingham and, let me tell you, they exceeded all of my expectations. Having been told that I was to check out and review a budding indie-pop rock group, certain unfavorable preconceived ideas were conjured in my mind.

The Mocking Jays are anything but that.

             After listening to their latest single and finding out they were playing just around the corner from the INFL offices, I had to go see what they are all about. Thank God I did because hearing the attitude and feeling the youthful enthusiasm being blared unmercifully through the perhaps inadequately sized Rough Trade sound system were just the real and relentless introduction to the band that I needed.

             Over the winter months, The Mocking Jays have been in hibernation, working on and developing their sound, style and the general presence in order to be set aside from the crowd, to find themselves and to craft themselves a distinctive identity. The polished, clean feel of this new track with its pulsing drums and slick guitar vamps has all the makings of an indie-pop success.

             This clean-cut yet angst-ridden song just about finds the right balance of attitude and approachableness to be a hit in the pop-rock category. With lyrics revolving around the emotional turbulence preceding the deterioration of a relationship and an interlude about house parties and unimpressed neighbours, Edge of Your Knife carves itself to likely have an affinity with a young audience.

             With their easy-going, approachable demeanour, they’ve become popular with good-natured youths attracted to a positive message whilst retaining the essential spunky hormonal drive of one’s early twenties.

             Also, much to the liking of any Nottingham local or aficionado of the city,the music video to this track (to be released soon) is a tribute to the band’s hometown. It is filmed across various city-centre locations, revealing and acknowledging some of our most iconic landmarks, characters and streets – paying homage to these familiar scenes and to those who have lived amongst them.

             For those usually quite resistant to indie-pop-rock, especially coming from such a young bunch – such as myself, admittedly – this band and their single may come as an unexpected, welcome surprise. A new-found appreciation for The Mocking Jays will leave you happily humming the chorus as you strut down Trent bridge or take a seat between the lions. Their warmly familiar and perhaps typically Midlands appearance makes me feel as though I know them already, which can only further my backing for them as potentially becoming Nottingham’s next hometown sweethearts.

Review by Liam MacGregor

The Mocking Jays‘ “Edge Of Your Knife” will be released late summer. Like and follow them to find out more…

For reviews email a streaming link and as much info as you can about the release to Info@imnotfromlondon