Long Island are a Huddersfield-based indie pop band who first hit my radar last month thanks to their single average. It’s a track that features on their debut album infatuation’s a nightmare, which I just had to give a listen.
By Graeme Smith
Feature photo by Diane Stephenson
Long Island are made up of vocalist and mastermind Rhiannon Stephenson, alongside guitarist and vocalist Cameron Conner, bassist Paddy Spence-Lewis and drummer Jan van Beem. The four coalesced around a mutual love for indie pop and have quickly caught the attention of tastemakers like CLOUT and The BBC.
Infatuation’s a nightmare is all about love, and covers the entire lifespan of a relationship from its exciting beginning to its heart-breaking end. Penned by Rhiannon and Cameron, with help from TRASH’s Bradley Weston, they’ve really tapped into something universal with their story.
It starts with wild nights, an upbeat piece of emotive pop. Rhiannon’s vocals are instantly arresting and hold your attention nicely during a stripped-back intro that explodes into the first chorus that’s full of defiance and regret. It’s a strong start.
So good comes next, bringing with it a retro groove and swelling ambience. Fans of the 1975 will approve. First single blissful satisfaction slows things down before introducing a disco beat that will have you moving. It’s an early highlight. Hurts like you feels like an emotional low point for the album, and best showcases Rhiannon’s compelling vocals (and her Yorkshire twang.)
Staring at the ceiling is the album’s gentle yet heart-breaking midpoint. Broken slowly lifts the mood with its cathartic electro groove before my fault fully throws off the malaise with a vibrant, angry electro-acoustic duet. It’s another highlight. Better off gives us a floating, dreamy climax before we reach the aforementioned average. It closes with the album with its unashamedly joyous pop-rock.
Infatuation’s a nightmare is, in a word, a triumph. This is thoughtful, approachable indie pop that deserves to be heard. The icing on the cake is that Long Island hail from just down the road and will contribute to putting Yorkshire on the UK musical map. You can listen to the whole album below.
