Oswald are a difficult band to make up your mind about. ‘These Days’ is incomprehensibly catchy from the very first listen, with a simple drum-beat and riff driving through to the rousing chorus that you may catch yourself humming if your aren’t careful.
Therein lies the problem, because it really isn’t a substantial record in any shape or fashion, and it appears to be slickly produced pre-cognitively to effortlessly glide in the mainstream.
It is unsurprising to discover that former U2 A&R Nick Stewart has championed Oswald, because there are moments, particularly on second track ‘Banging On Those Drums’ (not the best title ever conceived), where an homage to Bono edges dangerously close to direct, unashamed imitation.
And while the mention of the Irish band should probably send you running for the hills, it is still difficult to shake off the infectious nature of the title track, which demands you give them the benefit of the doubt.
But then you find that Clyde 1 has welcomed ‘These Days’ with open arms, adding it to their playlists.
I leave it to you dear reader, to decide their fate.