LITTLE STRANGE’s ‘Hard Days Hard Times’ Marks Welcomed Return of Guitar Music

Words: Heather Collier

Returning in 2022 after a two-year hiatus, Manchester-based alternative rock band Little Strange are quickly making up for lost time, brandishing a sleek new line-up and an exciting schedule of song releases and shows for the year ahead.

The single ‘Hard Days Hard Times’ marks their sixth release to date, which for some listeners may come as a surprise. Members Jamie Thompson, Olly Davis, Jack Clynes and Charlie Harris appear to be well beyond their years in terms of production and songwriting.

Since headlining the Yuck Magazine-curated Another Fine Festival, the group joined forces with northern musical heroes The Coral and Everything Everything on the main stage of Coast Roads Festival. Several headline shows across the UK, combined with an impressive live performance at The Lodge at the Deaf Institute, have drawn an immense amount of attention towards their tumultuous live sound.

The roaring four-piece has received support from BBC Introducing and BBC Radio 1, including a spin of their fourth single ‘Holy Rigmarole’ on Radio 1’s Future Alternative Show in June of last year. Subsequent airplay has followed both nationally and internationally from The Face Radio, Amazing Radio, and Amazing Radio USA, as well as playlisting support from Pretty Green, The Manc and Shoot Music.

‘Hard Days Hard Times’ weaves an uncanny, moody atmosphere that instantly conjures images of neon nights and greasy mornings. Reminiscent of the likes of Arctic Monkeys, All Them Witches and The Black Keys, each riff is infused with lust and electricity, expertly layered with an intoxicating vocal that’s enough to solidify themselves as ones to watch for 2024. 

With slick production and swaggering lyrical charm, the single offers an exciting addition to the alternative rock genre, marking a major and long-welcomed resurgence of guitar music to the UK’s soundscape.

Clear admirers of old school indie and alternative rock, their raw guitar tones and grizzly bravado surprisingly doesn’t lean into the overly polished rock star aesthetic, but instead kicks a more authentic sound into gear. 

Deserving of rapturous crowds and a string of exhilarating live performances, the quartet are destined to no doubt rip the roof off a number of venues across the UK and beyond.

Taking to social media last month, the band sent out a heartfelt message to fans, hinting to a promising future on the cards: 

“On behalf of us all at Strange HQ, we just wanted to say a huge thanks to all of our followers for your support throughout 2023. This has been our busiest year by far and we’re super proud of the progression we’ve made. It’s not always highs, we have our moments, but it doesn’t deter us. We’re four pals making the music we love, that’s what it’s about, isn’t it?! Expect a lot more new music, more gigs and some sweet, sweet merch. It’s all very exciting from where we’re sitting from.”