It seems The Courteeners have stood the test of time unlike so many other indie bands of the late 2000’s that came and went. Some may not realise, but since their successful first album St. Jude in 2008 they’ve released four more and are slowly becoming a staple of British Indie music. Their following is loyal and although they don’t get much radio time they’re playing sold out shows up and down the country. Their fifth album, Mapping the Rendezvous, is an impressive offering that they have dubbed their ‘’best set of songs ever’’.
The Courteeners tongue in cheek style hasn’t changed. In ‘De La Salle’ the Mancunians ask “Did Joan of Arc ever slip and slice her thumb chopping onions in double home economics?”. Praised for his lyrical prowess by Morrissey, Liam Fray certainly does not disappoint on this album. The songs follow the theme of falling in love and making bad decisions. ‘No One Will Ever Replace Us’ talks about falling in love at a festival, something many Courteeners fans can probably relate to.
Never afraid to ruffle a few feathers, ‘Lucifer’s Dream’ pokes fun at the “beautiful” people of London. ‘The 17th’ is a guaranteed festival hit with its anthem like chorus “Having such a good time”. You can already hear their legions of fans screaming it back at them.
The Courteeners have truly stuck to their indie roots, with catchy guitar led tunes that their fans will love. Mapping the Rendezvous has the potential to get them back the limelight and commercial success they had after St. Jude and attract a new era of Courteeners fans.
Hannah Mason