Emerging from the Manchester indie rock scene, Florentenes appear on our blog for the first time through their second EP, HOMEGROWN.

By Graeme Smith

HOMEGROWN is an EP that wastes no time getting stuck right in. Fuel For The Flame opens the record with a pacy pop rock instrumental and vocals that are rich with Northern attitude. Think Oasis if they rocked a little harder. A noodling outro kicks things up a gear, readying us for the anthemic Miss Understand, a highlight thanks to its biting lyrics and Jamie T-esque swagger.

The Gun is rip-roaring with a hypnotic rhythm and explosive vocals before What It Takes rounds things off with a moment that’s contrastingly slow and soulful. As it progresses, it builds to a rousing climax that closes the EP memorably.

Though new to us, Florentenes have been rocking venues across Northern England for a while. Fronted by William Smith, the band features Luke Holding on lead guitar, Harry Stubbs on bass, and Liam Fiddy on drums.

Speaking on the release, Smith says “each song has a different story to tell and a different mood to display, the only constant is that we’re not afraid to show what we’re made of.”

Stubbs adds, “For me, the EP is about showcasing a start of what’s to come to us; it’s about our beginnings and how we have grown as people through certain experiences.”

If you like your rock with a distinct point of view, you’re going to find a lot to love about what Florentenes are doing. You can certainly count me as a fan.

HOMEGROWN is set for release 16 May 2025. You can pre-save it here.