Northern quintet the goa Express release self-titled debut strewn with attuned indie rock.

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For The Goa Express, the journey has been seemingly swift. Headhunted from their Coral-inspired stalwart Second Time in 2021, the bands’ momentum has been stockpiling in both attention and plays. When we heard fast alternative belter of Portrait at the start of this year, we knew we were in for a bumper ride with new alt-kids on the block, The Goa Express.

The five-piece self-titled is an amalgamation of ’90s Britpop and noughties indie records sprawled on the bedroom floor, the shrine to Noel within touching distance. It’s a perfectly captured listening post to what’s the new craze right now in alternative indie rock. They’re all doing it. Poppy shoegazers Chappaqua Wrestling released their debut album earlier this year, as did Egyptian Blue – two groups equally in their own lanes right now. Mancunian indie rock also has a place again with spritely Afflecks Place releasing their sophomore earlier this year too. So rock – and their affiliating cousins – are still spouting out exciting new flavours at the moment. Don’t be fooled by the greats of Rolling Stones dominating the charts again and assuming that it’s a damning reflection on today’s rock.

Featuring Portrait itself, the self-titled is an airy reprise of cathartic anthems, razzle-dazzled in janky guitars, swampy drums and a slurred vocal effort from Clark – almost as if he is too cool to show up and do his part in the booth properly. They are from the North, after all. More specifically, they’re Todmodern boys. No doubt trying to crack the live scenes in Manchester before plotting for country-wide dominance. It’s a flurry of catchy hooks and flinging chords as Good Luck Charm brings the pace and Talking About Stuff brings the sit-down and beers as the nostalgia-soaked talks reminisce on the days gone by.

It’s a full-on frontal affair letting folk know: they’re really here after the new noise.

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You can catch them on tour on the below dates as they venture further down South this Christmas:

• Liverpool – EBGBS: 2nd Dec
• Birmingham – Muthers Studio: 3rd Dec
• Brighton – Komedia: 28th Dec
• London – Lexington: 29th Dec

FFO: Blossoms, Chappaqua Wrestling, Inhaler