If you don’t know The Clause, where have you been?
The band have been together for a decade and their biggest hit and breakthrough moment ‘In My Element’ was released in 2019 and has racked up nearly 3.5 million listens on spotify alone. But do not be fooled into thinking there are a one hit wonder or a one trick pony, oh no, there’s so much more to The Clause.
Formed in Birmingham, the 4 piece comprise of Pearce (vocals), Niall (drums), Liam (guitars) and Jonny (bass), they have been together for 10 years after forming in school. They effortless combine style, huge hooks and beautiful vocals to produce indie & rock bangers that you want to hear at a festival while holding your overpriced beer in the air.
The debut album, ‘Victim of a Causal Thing’ is out on Friday 24th October and it is an absolute joy to listen to. It has everything that I want from an album. Songs about love, heartbreak and nights out, coupled with chunky guitars, heavy drums and great lyrics and I love it all.
Some of the songs have been out for a while and have racked up streams. But I’m a lover of physical music, so to have the songs I’ve been listening to packaged beautifully with new songs, on vinyl, of course, makes me very happy. The album itself feels complete and the order of tracks is so perfect. The flow of songs makes you want to listen from start to finish. Victim of a Casual Thing summarises the journey The Clause have taken to get to this point and shows you where they are going. And it’s going to be BIG.
It includes a new version of ‘In My Element’. There is a simple reason for this. Following the collapse of the label they were signed to, they lost ownership of the original recording and haven’t made a penny from it, so by rerecording it, they have been able to take back ownership and it can sit on the debut album where it belongs. I’ve listened to both versions and can honestly say, I am not at all disappointed with ‘Element’.
Pearce says, “This record is soaked in the culture of growing up in the UK. It carries the echoes of wild nights and fragile mornings, broken relationships and faded ambitions. There’s no pretence here—just four young heads trying to make sense of it all. This is the sound of feeling lost and insignificant in a city that doesn’t slow down, and the fight to rise above it. The emotion is real, raw, and loud”.
On my first play of the album I was instantly drawn to ‘Tell Me What You Want’, which was released a few weeks ago. It totally reminded me of Royal Blood and I am absolutely there for that. Especially the outro part. The drums. The guitars. Perfect. Pearce even says, “The outro riff is a bit out there and it goes half-time at the end. I was like, are we allowed to do that? Is it a bit too much? And then we just thought, fuck it, it’s gonna go off live! As a band some of our biggest influences are Kasabian and Foals, and we’ve taken the song down that route.”
You can really get a feel of the artists that influenced the band as they were growing up, but don’t be mistaken into thinking this is a copy of other bands. This album is The Clause and their style is evident from start to finish.
‘White Life Line’ reminds me of early Arctic Monkeys and can’t wait to hear it in a sweaty venue, because it will definitely hit better than me singing along in the car! The Why Oh Why calls back will be great to hear live. This is another favourite of mine.
‘Pink Moon’ shows just how beautiful Pearce’s voice is. Slower pace, wonderful melody, haunting and so tender and raw with lovely acoustic guitars. While ‘Don’t Blink’ closes the album perfectly and lines up nicely for the next album.
It’s hard to believe The Clause are independent artists with no backing, but chatting to Liam he sees all the massive positives this does bring. They have no one to answer to and they are free to do everything on their terms.
Album Track listing
Prologue
Nothing’s As It Seems
Tell Me What You Want
In My Element
White Life Line
Elisha
Exception
Weekend Millionaire
I Don’t Care
Fever Dream
Pink Moon
Don’t Blink
Pre-order the album here // Get tour tickets here
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