“I’m by myself, and I can’t become no one else.“
For those who keep their ear to the ground and the eyes on the roots of the UK scene, the quiet emergence of Oversize will have become one of note over the past 12 months, with lockdown EP In Balance leading many to put the group down as of one of the ones to watch in the alt-rock scene. Several live show performances supporting Phoxjaw, Fiddlehead and Higher Power further spread their appeal, with a performance at this year’s Outbreak Festival cementing their place within the UK scene at large. This now leads them to sophomore EP, Into The Ceiling, which might just be their defining moment.
As opener “Distant Light” enters the foray its influences become apparent, a gentle fuse of Gleemer and Basement with a hint of grunge. Diving into the sound that was popularised in the early- to mid-2010s has a certain appeal to it, especially in the absence of its strongest and most lauded unit, in Title Fight. This isn’t to say that Oversize act as some sort of tribute band to that era though, with the vocal performance leaning further into a 90s Britpop influence than anything seen within the bands that emerged in that time. Akin to that seen on Oasis records such as (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? layered into the record, the vocals set it aside from its American counterparts in a meaningful and creative way.
Into The Ceiling delves into some delicious hooks on aforementioned “Distant Light” and “Taste“, with the latter opening on an entrancing electronic beat that is layered in with guitars and a gentle vocal performance. As the track grows to the point of offering a glowing guitar solo, its lyrics become ones that can be seen to be sang along to at the many shows Oversize will likely do in the coming future.
Penultimate track “Wasted Soul” leans into the anthemic moments that will be familiar to fans who explore this genre. Sitting on gentle plucked chords on the verses, the track explodes on its chorus that offers up a satisfying and sonically huge moment of release. It’s possibly the linked arms-in-arms moment of the EP, with soaring vocals that yearn to be sang along to. This leads us into closer “Dissolve“, which offers up a paced and lamenting finale. As the clean chords are plucked away, the lyricism of “I promise to keep you safe” begins to tread the heartfelt path. It’s a pleasant and enjoyable closing moment to the EP, yet perhaps lacks the impact we’ve come to expect from the closing moments of records of this ilk.
In turn, it’s difficult not to enjoy this latest release from Oversize, while it does perhaps lack a defining quality that sets itself apart from its American counterparts in the form of Gleemer and other similar bands on a level outside of the vocal performance, there is a joy in having a band of this style sitting UK side and bring their own influences to the table. These more local influences, alongside the strength in songwriting here, will ensure Oversize are a unit that many will return to for time to come. There is a curiosity to see what Oversize will do next with two EPs under their belt, with the prospect of a full-length likely becoming the project that will set them as a mainstay in the UK, as they can explore their sound in a more broad and extended fashion.
7/10
Into The Ceiling is out this Friday, October 21st, via Church Road Records and can be pre-ordered here.