Sounds like…

Tears for Fears for the 2020’s generation.

The review

SURE released their album “20 Years” in 2020 and I didn’t get to pick it up until late 2021. The trio is a mixture of post-punk, darkwave and electro-pop. I already had Tears for Fears and Thompson Twins vibes from them beforehand but with their new EP of unreleased tracks “Nineteen Years”, this is taken up a level.

Mainly this is because they expertly cover “Shout” – the Tears for Fears classic. They don’t stray too far from the original but give it a darkwave lining and a slightly harder edge than the percussive 80’s production of the original. It is totally in line with their usual sound too which is explored through two other songs on the EP. “Uphill” is a thick bass-led darkwave anthem that launches into a danceable guitar solo in the middle eight. It feels both angry and driven and showcases the rockier side of SURE. “In Control” instead is more electronica based but equally as dark as the layers of synths and guitar picking add up. The French trio really knows how to work their post-rock oppression into a groove and it elevates their rock into something catchy and sad too.

The final two tracks on the EP are piano versions of tracks from their debut “20 Years”. The more interesting choice is “Morrows” which was a striding post-punk anthem previously. Here, it is a rumbling chord cycle that broods darkly under the ether. It never releases the tension fully but holds a tense space. “Sinking Story” was the ethereal outro of the album and this translates to a pensive and melancholy piano ballad that builds to a dramatic and gothic conclusion. I almost wanted some draw organs to chime in at the end as the final notes ring out.

Whilst I’d recommend starting with their fantastic album “20 Years” first, this is a lovely addition to their album to expand their repertoire. The three band tracks could all sit on the album with ease and the piano alternates are unique and vastly different to their originals. Gothic darkwave is in very good hands with SURE for the future going off their last two years.

Recommended track: Uphill

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