The Fours is the (mostly) solo project of Columbus, Ohio, USA-based Son of Dribble guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Darren Latanick. He’s just come to my attention thanks to the release of his new album. Consisting of ten tracks of lo-fi indie rock and lyrical astuteness, it’s called Walk It Off.

By Graeme Smith

Walk It Off opens with the fuzzy guitar of Facedown. With elements of ’90s Britpop coming together with ’00s indie, neither genre feels like a perfect fit. Bright instrumentals contrast melancholic vocals, creating a bittersweet mix not too dissimilar to York’s very own Bull. It’s a welcoming start.

Pacing the Hounds has an infectious tempo that inspires you to move along, while also firing the synapses with its poetic psychedelia. Brighton Beach livens things up with a some bombastic electric rock before Rewind gives us some dark introspection. Sunday is beautifully inventive, with looping percussion and a ghostly melody.

Title track Walk It Off proves a mid-album highlight. It has a swaggering rhythm and lyrics that are rich with narrative and pathos. The guitars are nicely distorted, giving a sharp edge to its pop accessibility.

Mummy shuffles along at a languid pace during its ode to the middle ground. Tanking takes things in a raw, acoustic direction, giving plenty of room to its reflective lyrics. Trains goes like a traction engine with its pacy tempo and layers of lo-fi rock. City Lights closes the album with some fuzzy bass and a hip-hop percussion. It’s a final twist to this eclectic tale.

The Fours is an act that clearly likes to let his music do the talking, and why shouldn’t he with an album as vibrant and timeless as this. If you like your rock on the alternative side then his latest album is a must-add to your collection. I look forward to hearing more from Darren.

Walk It Off is out now via World of Birds Records and you can listen to it below.