London based shoe-gazers Beach Baby's debut is a charming episodic insight into the musings of 20-something apathy. The grand but ultimately unaccomplished aspirations for love and happiness, the 9-5 security which simultaneously allures and repulses...The money worries which multiply with each passing day. A lethargic commentary on expectation, it enchants with bittersweet knowing, asking without ever bothering to answer.

Beach Baby are so close to breaking free of their hardship...if only they had the motivation. 'Lost Soul' embodies this spirit of perhaps(s) and maybes: "I don't know, what you know, but I will do soon, yeah I will do soon. And I could, and I would." We'd try but we're busy, uh, planning our attempt. 

The title track carries the reluctant self-awareness which marries intellectual indifference, inherent laziness painstakingly masked by stuttering superiority. Yet there is a real sincerity to the cycle of despair, a human touch which distinguishes Beach Baby from their sluggish stoner-rock contemporaries. 

"And when I close my eyes I find I'm left behind. That's alright, yeah never mind." This passive acceptance of dejection runs throughout the album, providing a compelling antonym to the competitive rhetoric ceaselessly drilled into society. 

'Sleeperhead' and acclaimed single 'Limousine' explore the fantasies of wealth and prosperity with far more conviction, a rosier outlook of what life should be, if only it were possible. Being a sleeperhead is the dream; or to put it less delicately, having enough time to sleep is. 

But here comes the Beach Baby subversion. Working an 8 hour daytime shift then driving home to a loving family is idealised, but to what extent is it actually desired? Is the nuclear family the dream or the nightmare? Beach Baby have got no life, or rest, but at least they're living. 

'Hot Weather's' hazy opening beautifully exhibits the Beach Baby philosophy: "How do I get you? I'm out of luck and you're still out of sight..." Keep trying, Beach Baby, and we'll keep listening. 

Words Glenn Houlihan 

@6af1s 

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OVER the past decade or so, Live At Leeds has become a staple of the finest music events the North has to offer. Each spring, thousands of music fans and festival goers alike converge to the city in Yorkshire for the multi-venue event spread across Leeds city centre. 

Back for its 10th anniversary, this year's festival promises to be as spectacular as ever and with a stellar line up to match. Here's our rundown of the best of the best and the acts you simply can't afford to miss over the course of the weekend. 

London four-piece, Beach Baby are dominating the indie rock scene right now with their brand of slick shoe-gaze inspired tunes. Featuring on almost every festival line-up you can think of this summer, their performance is sure to rocket them to a new level of success. 

Clean Cut Kid have been hailed as ones to watch time and time again and now is your chance to catch them in Leeds for another of their unforgettable performances. The Liverpool quartet's material has previously been described as: "soulful pop ballads, washed in Mersey water." Having received acclaim and national airplay with the likes of previous singles 'Runaway' and 'Vitamin C' what's not to love?

If you haven't heard of Circa Waves before, then now is the time to familiarise yourself with them as they're on an unstoppable rise. If last year's headline gig at London's O2 Academy Brixton is anything to go by, these lads are going to continue to have one hell of a year and the first stop is conquering their Live At Leeds set. Their debut album 'Young Chasers' was received to monumental and universal acclaim and since then the Liverpudlian band have gone on to play to packed out tents at Reading, as well as an appearance at Glastonbury Festival. Make your way down to the front to sing your heart out to hits such as 'Stuck In My Teeth' and 'T-Shirt Weather'. 

Manchester's very own, Spring King are making the journey to Leeds and you bet they'll be pulling out all their stops for their set. The four-piece post-punk band began as a solo project in 2012 but have achieved so much since then. Their previous headline tour proved just how adored they are in the hearts of the nation's music fans. With a record deal from Island Records under their belt, the band's hit cut 'City' was the first track to be played on Beats 1 by Zane Lowe. 

Indie-pop four-piece Vitamin are a brew of Leeds' very own homegrown talent, which they'll be showcasing live at the festival. Previous tour buddies include the likes of Sundara Karma and Nothing But Thieves and an impressive resume of gigs backs them solidly too. The band have indicated at a promising future with "colourful shades of guitar tones and slick poppy grooves." If you're a fan of Peace or Foals; you'll be all over Vitamin. 

Live At Leeds Festival 2016 will take place on 30th April. 

Tickets are available to buy from £35.75 here.

Words Lauren Wade

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