Phantom Runners - It Takes Me Away (Video)

“It’s not every day that I feel I can profess to having discovered the future of indie pop music in true Alan McGee style, but I’m fairly sure this could be it.” They were the opening words of an email we received yesterday. Now that sounded pretty exciting. Until we realised that we’d actually featured the band (and song) in question back in May of this year. Remember? They are called Phantom Runners.

But let’s not get disheartened, because all of us new music lovers have those Alan McGee moments. Sometimes those moments end up becoming our equivalents of Oasis, My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus And Mary Chain or Primal Scream, whilst other times they end up being like The Loft or The Jasmine Minks. The important thing is that having those musical moments is a bit like sex; if you start worrying too much about what’s going to happen after the moment, (long term relationship or being dumped because you actually weren't good enough) you take all the joy out of the moment.

So just bloody enjoy it whilst it lasts. 

We enjoyed it back in May and now we're having another bash, only this time, it's like pornography, as a video is involved. It features the band having a jolly old sing-a-long in a car and in a field, all shot in dodgy VHS style, which seems appropriate for the band’s sonic set, which would sit perfectly on one of the Shine compilations from the mid-90’s.

It Takes Me Away is released through Stray Cat Records on September 23rd. Phantom Runners play some London shows to support the release at The Old Blue Last on September the 4th, Tipsy on the 19th September and The Nest on the 5th October.

Phantom Runners - It Takes Me Away (Video)

Phantom Runners - New Waves

This Brighton based four-piece might sound like they’ve stepped out of an indie time-warp machine stamped ‘early-90’s Brit guitar bands’ but in their tune It Takes Me Away they have a jangly gem that’s swollen with enough vibrant highs to make you want to don some big bell bottomed  flares and swagger around the dance floor as if it’s 100% the right thing to do. 

For Phantom Runners' It Takes Me Away aims for the stars. The languorous lead vocals and insanely crisp chiming guitars fuse together with a hooky little melody that takes some pretty obvious references, (The Stone Roses, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart and Ride’s Twisterella) puts them into the pot, swirls them around a bit and pours them out into a rather thrilling and intoxicating mixture. It’s undoubtedly good, the question is apart from those of a certain age trying to relieve past glories, does anyone want to listen to this type of music anymore? Well, we probably said that in 1992 when Blur started referencing The Kinks, The Who, Syd Barrett and rubbishing grunge. By 1994 the answer was quite clearly yes. It’s a lesson in pop music that we should all take heed of; you never know quite what’s going to come next, so never write anything fully off. Especially when, like this, there's a bit of a sparkle there.

Later this week much of the UK new music world will be turning its eyes and ears towards Brighton and this year’s Great Escape Festival. With the event on the band’s doorstep it’s not surprising to learn that they will be playing a showcase at the festival. Phantom Runners will be playing at the Great Escape on the Les Enfants Terribles stage on the 16th May at 9.25pm, at The Mesmerist.

Phantom Runners - It Takes Me Away