Based in Birmingham, Phwoar are an alternative indie rock duo consisting of Helena on drums and Paul on guitar. They’re new to us, but we’re looking forward to getting to know them a lot better.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Paul Stafford

As you might guess from their name, Phwoar approach music from a place of humour. Yet, it’s not all for laughs. There’s plenty of thought-provoking wit and social commentary in their unique mix too. That’s what you can expect from their debut, five-track EP, Flowers Through the Concrete.

The title of the EP alone is rich with imagery. We’ve all seen it, plants growing where they have no business growing in our concreted urban and suburban areas. I guess being an independent creative feels like that at times as well. To continue the metaphor, Phwoar’s fertilizer is swaggering indie rock. Right from EP opener, Reckless, they give us razor-sharp guitars and chanting vocals. A singalong chorus brings to mind ’00s indie darlings Blood Red Shoes.

Surge gives us looping guitar and elements of pop-punk during a raucous number. Waiting for the Sun then slows things down for a melancholic, grungy moment.

Title track Flowers Through the Concrete brings the EP’s themes home. “We push up like flowers through the concrete,” it declares. “Some people have forgotten what makes life sweet.” A bombastic instrumental drives things along with punchy percussion and lingering riffs.

Tryhard closes the EP with a machine gun rhythm and some quickfire pop culture references in a lyrical story that takes shots at the world’s fakers.

With their new EP, Phwoar are continuing a legacy of witty British rock while bringing something new to the scene. They’re ones to watch.

Flowers Through The Concrete is out now and you can give it a listen below.

Find out more about Phwoar via their website.