Ones to Watch: AFFAIRS

While Manchester continues to be characterised by rock’n’roll and indie bands, AFFAIRS are breaking the mould with their own take of slick, shimmering electro-pop.

Having already built up a buzz with the trio of singles ‘Blood Science’, ‘Brothers’, and ‘Play’, Debut EP Stained Gold sees the five-piece further establish their credentials.

Lead single ‘Runaway’ marks the band’s best effort to date, perfectly capturing the glossy, accomplished music alongside lead singer Jamie Robinson’s ethereal nature, as the frontman celebrates the haze of a night out: “Reckless and wide eyed, thoughtless and tongue-tied, searing into motion.”

The infectious shine of the whole EP should come as no surprise given that it was produced by Ed Buller, who has also worked with Pulp, Suede, White Lies and Courteeners.

There is, of course, a hint of the north-west in Robinson’s vocals, the son of two opera signers, he hits a remarkable sweet spot somewhere between Morrissey and Rick Astley. Opposite ends of the pop spectrum they may be, both are masters of melody and, consciously or not, Robinson has embraced the duo and created his own distinctive and gripping tone.

In an age when pop music is generally sneered at, AFFAIRS are showing that it is still as important as ever.

Stained Gold, the upcoming album from AFFAIRS, is out 15 July.

Rob Conlon
@robconlon25

Rob Conlon

Rob Conlon

Freelance journalist. Record collector. Yorkshireman. Order subject to change. "You've got good taste, even if you are from fucking Leeds" - Richard Hawley