London-based alternative pop rock band Venice Heath have featured on our blog a couple of times before. I first featured them in March through their track Keep On Thinking, and then followed that up last month with a share of their single Different. Both tracks feature on their recently released debut EP Summernight.

By Graeme Smith

The EP’s name instantly brings to mind youthful nostalgia and that’s exactly what Venice Heath explore across its five tracks, mixing vibrant euphoric pop with indie undertones that draw inspiration from the likes of Foals, Tame Impala and Jungle, as well as a need for escapism during coronavirus lockdown.

Summernight opens with Indoor Swimming Pool, a track that’s instantly arresting through is combination of psychedelic and experimental pop elements. The vocals are enchantingly smooth during its first verse before we reach a chorus that ramps up the rock with electric guitar and punchy percussion. It’s a strong start.

The aforementioned Different comes next, giving a quieter, more reflective side of the Venice Heath sound before lifting the energy up into an atmospheric groove. You Don’t Care, Oh Yeah! keeps the groove going while introducing some twinkling electronica and bittersweet lyrics. Keep On Thinking brings a taste of ’90s Britpop with it, built from looping, jangly guitar and laidback vocals. Elsewhere rounds off the EP with a heady mix of light and dark underscored by lively percussion and funky bass.

This EP is a collection of tracks that ooze cool. There’s an effortless feeling about it all, though that’s not to disparage the amount of work that’s clearly gone into creating it. If you’re looking for a pick-me-up this afternoon then you needn’t look any further than Summernight. It’s a strong debut from Venice Heath that has me on the edge of my seat anticipating where they go next with their sound.

Venice Heath are led by Italy-born, London-based Alessandro Pavan and perform live as a four piece. You can check out Summernight below.