Photo Credit: Alicia Woods
Words: Sophie Thompson

Birmingham band The Clause have made a striking debut with Victim of a Casual Thing  a pop and indie infused album which feels both nostalgic and fresh. They have called it “the soundtrack of growing up together” and the album lives up to that promise capturing the messy sounds of youth and growing up. 

The record opens with an instrumental prologue, a cinematic opener which seamlessly melts into the punchy, guitar driven “Nothing is As it Seems”. The track erupts with energy and catchy lyrics which linger, “cause nothing matters when you’re six feet under”/ “I sing myself to sleep,” perfectly capturing the bands skilled ability of hiding introspective lyrics behind a catchy rhythm. It is the addictive sound which defines The Clause, quintessentially indie but with an edge that sets them apart.

“Tell Me What You Want” follows with energetic and pounding drums paired with lead singer Pearce Macca’s confident vocals proving that together as a unit they create a tight fitted sound which sounds effortless. It is clear that The Clause thrive as a unit and the album is one which will no doubt go down a treat when they embark on their headline tour this December with lively anthems like “Element” and “I Don’t Care” will inevitably have the crowd bursting into mosh pits and the floors bouncing across the country. 

“Eisha”, is a nostalgic track which reminisces on young love and past relationships with the memorable lyric “kissed me in the back of a Wetherspoons in Leeds”. Meanwhile, “Weekend Millionaire” blends pop and indie in a track which seems destined to be met with some kind of choreography on tour with the infectious “ooh ahh” being echoed throughout the crowd.

As “I Don’t Care” bursts open with an electric introduction The Clause have created a genre blending sound which is so effortlessly unique. The acoustic “Pink Moon “slows down the tempo beautifully shifting from the powerful energy which had been present in the earlier tracks, offering a moment of reflection the track showcases some of their best lyrical work to date which is introspective and heartfelt.

Perfectly closing the album is “Don’t Blink” the dynamic closer perfectly summarises what The Clause are about, high energy guitars and powerful vocals which have an atmosphere that thrives when performed live. It is the perfect closer for an album which encapsulates the turbulence of growing up 

From start to finish ‘A Victim of a Casual Thing‘ plays like a coming-of-age soundtrack with the euphoric sound and introspective lyrics. The Clause have crafted a debut album which positions them as one of the most exciting British up and coming bands. With this record, the Birmingham quartet have proved that there is no stopping them. 

The success of this album will no doubt make the Birmingham quartet feel as if they’re “stuck in a teenage dream”