Photo Credit: Ewan Ogden
Wigan four-piece The Lathums have just released album number three via Modern Sky. Their two previous efforts, 2021’s How Beautiful Life Can Be and 2023’s From Nothing To A Little Bit More both reached the number one spot on the UK’s Official Albums Chart – the big question now is can they make it three-in-a-row with Matter Does Not Define?
Here is a band that have such a unique sound, with the unmistakeable vocals of Alex Moore the highlight of opener Leave No Stone Unturned, not forgetting the immersive guitar playing from Scott Concepcion helping to make this one of the standouts on the album. Reflections Of Lessons Left provides a few lines of signature Moore songwriting: “When they learn that it’s not matter that defines a being/it’s the reflection of the lessons they leave,” being just one example. We then move into one of the early releases in Stellar Cast, for which Moore took inspiration after an early gig at Leeds venue Brudenell. Musically, there are ska elements within the track, and the thumping basslines played by Matty Murphy will get you tapping along.
Heartbreaker changes the musical direction completely, sounding more like a song from the 1960s at times. The band definitely take inspiration from lots of different genres, as they have done from the beginning really. Concepcion is excellent on this one and the easy chorus will go down well with fans on their upcoming UK tour. Tracks such as Dynamite and Unrequited Love keep the happy vibes flowing, while No Direction is another featuring clever lyrics: “For there’s no direction cause I’ve thrown away the key/I can’t forgive my past transgressions and they’ll never let me leave.”
Knocking At Your Door is another track that takes some ska influences. Drummer Ryan Durrans is solid throughout, but it is during The Jester where he excels, while Surrounded By Beauty is a more laid back song as we move towards the end of the twelve-track album. Closing track Long Shadows starts off slow, before building up to a finale where all four musicians work so well together, with even a piano piece included for good measure. This track is just begging to be played live.
The Lathums kick off their Matter Does Not Define tour later this month, with some shows sold out and additional dates announced. 2025 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet for the quartet, and we can’t wait to see what else is in store.
10/10
Standout Tracks: Leave No Stone Unturned, Stellar Cast, No Direction, Long Shadows
For Fans Of: The Ks, The Lottery Winners, The Reytons
Written by: Alan Brown
