If you’re a young Scottish rock band, there’s a fair chance you’ll get accused of ripping-off Biffy Clyro at some point, even it you don’t sound anything like them. However, while Livingston five-piece Penfold clearly have a few Biffy records in their collection, they also draw on American influences such as the Deftones.
The result is that ‘Lungs’ is a stirring, emotive rock EP that is at once familiar yet also fresh.
After an impassioned opening salvo, ‘Once Young’ is softer and more restrained, while ‘Rephrase/Rewind’ brings a harder edge. Final track ‘Northern Light’ might also be their finest and brings to mind the reckless spirit of early Idlewild.
There are a number of British rock bands currently making a name for themselves, such as Lower Than Atlantis, Deaf Havana, We Are The Ocean and Scotland’s own Twin Atlantic. On the evidence of ‘Lungs’ Penfold have the talent to join them.