London four-piece Burntwood Release Self-Titled Debut Album

Independently released, Burntwood combine inventive songwriting with expansive atmospherics, incorporating elements of post-rock, americana and alternative. Across 11 tracks, ‘Burntwood’ explores the melding of modern technology, nature and relationships through dreamlike soundscapes, driving beats and intertwined vocal lines.

Burntwood formed in 2021 as an evolution of the critically acclaimed and Steve Lamacq-supported Modern Hinterland*. Following a line-up change and upon beginning to write new music, the rejuvenated project felt like setting fire to a fresh pile of kindling. As a result, Burntwood was born.

Collaboration was key to the record’s sound, with songwriting shared between Chris Hornsby (Lead vocals and guitar), Simon Shippey (vocals, guitar and keys) and Tim Thackray (vocals, bass). As a result, there’s an eclectic energy to their output, which flexes from raucous numbers (‘Loophole’ or ‘Fear is the Sound’) to more expansive, immersive explorations (‘First Past The Post’ and ‘First Arrow’). Burntwood are completed by drummer John Singh.

Evoking Wilco, Pixies and The Replacements, big melodies lie at the heart of the songs. With initial sessions taking place in the wake of various national lockdowns, there’s an immediacy and liberating essence to the sound, as the foursome counteracted two years of ambient playlists and remote life with loud guitars and hooky vocals.

Discussing the record, Chris Hornsby said: “We’ve played together for a few years now, but creating this record was essentially an experiment in relearning what it was to be in a band. For the first time, we were swapping hooks, verses and ideas, experimenting with new structures and reworking songs in new styles and moods. We were also keen to make something communal, exhilarating and loud after a couple of years in the wilderness. The result is our debut record, which is always turning in unexpected and welcome directions, especially to me.”