Debut EP from Giant Killers

London-based duo Giant Killers is the indie pop project of Jamie Wortley and Michael Brown who were first signed to MCA Records back in the mid 90s when they dropped two singles. With Jamie on guitar, keys and lead vocals and Michael on bass, keys, brass and vocals, the pair were set set to release their first full-length record but the release never surfaced.

However, almost three decades later, Giant Killers shared their debut album in January this year with the ten-track record called Songs For The Small Places via the Little Genius Recordings imprint. Using their music to make a positive impact in the world, £2 from each sale of the LP on Bandcamp has been donated to Campaign Against Living Miserably, a suicide prevention charity.

Along their enduring musical adventure they’ve earned several impressive accolades including opening for Blur on their Country House tour, touring with The Blow Monkeys frontman, Dr Robert and Nick Heyward and even appearing on C4’s The Big Breakfast. Recording a live session for the album on Patrick Kielty’s BBC 5 Live show, the presenter was so impressed by the pair that’s he’s already invited them back on the show.

Following up the successful release of their critically acclaimed debut record, Giant Killers now bring us their latest release with their first EP titled When This Time Is Over, featuring four tracks that capture the perfect snapshot of the latest chapter of their musical story. Once again donating a portion of the proceeds from the release to C.A.L.M., the new EP sees Giant Killers present their 90s-tinged sound for a modern audience.

Jumping straight in with a bright Britpop sound on opening track and title song “When This Time Is Over,” smooth vocal leads thread upbeat melodies over a charming arrangement of shuffling drums and warm acoustic guitar strums. With a delightful blend of bouncy lead hooks lifted from overlapping backing vocals, it’s an instantly catchy jam of superb pop-focused soft rock music.

Commenting on the title-track, the band shares, “The song has a great back story; it was the first one we wrote as Giant Killers, and it was written on a guitar owned by Butch Vig. The guitar was in the safe keeping of our mate Simon Gunning, the artist manager who looked after Vig’s later incarnation as Garbage. We knocked around Simon’s office after business hours because we lived in relative poverty in an empty office down the corridor and his place was well… warmer. We’d seen Butch playing that guitar so often when he visited Simon on business, we picked it up in the hope his magic might rub off from his fingers and onto our musical endeavours.”

“Billy the Kid” injects a playful groove with intricate guitar plucks and the lively rattle of percussive elements as bold guitar strums and fluttering synth textures all collide to form a delicate backdrop for expressive vocals to hover above. Showcasing their versatility while maintaining their distinct sound that’s connected with fans around the world, the song serves up an energising sound with subtle country undertones capped by power pop style vocals.

With “Home Time Blue,” the duo casts a downtempo indie rock affair with lightly gritty guitars and hushed vocals. Developing with pulsing bass lines and airy piano plinks, the track swells to a crunchy crescendo before slowly fading out.

Closing the EP with “A Legacy of Sorts,” Giant Killers lays down one final moment of dazzling uptempo pop rock with punching drums, guitar rhythms and piquant key tones setting the backing for the infectious vocal lines to ride above. Throughout When This Time Is Over, Giant Killers offer a musical experience full of stellar songwriting, engaging arrangements and impeccable performance flair as they continue to cement their return with another sensational release.

Showing no signs of slowing down, the band has just revealed they’ll be opening the main stage at the Shiiine On Festival in November, joining an exciting lineup alongside artists such as Echo and the Bunnymen, Embrace, Kula Shaker and Lightning Seeds.

Listen to When This Time Is Over below