Florentenes release new EP ‘HOMEGROWN’

Coming out of Manchester’s music scene, Florentenes have been rapidly rising as one of the UK’s most exciting new indie outfits. Fronted by William Smith, who leads with both voice and vision, the quartet includes guitarist Luke Holding, bassist Harry Stubbs and drummer Liam Fiddy. What started as lo-fi bedroom sessions between Will and Luke has since flourished into a full band capturing the attention of venues, fans and fellow artists alike.

Florentenes first introduced their studio sound in 2023 with debut single “Gone,” and since then, the band have built significant momentum, selling out shows across their home city and making an impact in Northern England’s live music scene. Their rise has felt thoroughly organic; a band shaped by packed grassroots venues, word-of-mouth buzz and a shared hunger for connection through sound.

Now, with their sophomore EP titled HOMEGROWN, Florentenes channel that magnetic live energy into a thrilling new studio release, offering a the perfect run through of where they’ve been and where they’re headed. Produced by the legendary Dave Eringa, who’s known for his work with Jamie Webster and the Manic Street Preachers, the record arrives with both compelling sound and purpose, confirming that this is a band not just finding their feet, but sprinting forward with confidence and increasing pace.

The EP opens with “The Gun,” a swaggering indie rock anthem that shakes with the gritty bravado of Arctic Monkeys, reimagined through Florentenes’ own lens. Kicked off by the crunchy stabs of guitars and pulsing drum rhythms, the track builds with William Smith’s lively vocal performance which casts engaging melodic lines above the dusty rock backing via expressive delivery. Full of charging energy, the song’s rhythmic switch ups inject slick ebb and flow to set up a rousing finale of soaring lead guitar and belted vocals, resulting in an energising and unforgettable listening experience.

“Fuel for the Flame” follows, offering something more emotionally intimate with a song that was penned by Will at sixteen. It captures the turbulence of adolescence with meaningful honesty to offer a cathartic cut, burning with frustration and release, layered with intricate guitar work and a gripping vocal performance propelled by bouncy rhythmic arrangement.

The third entry, “What It Takes,” flows from hazy prog rock-tinged aesthetic and downtempo rhythm, swelling into a catchy and riveting pop-inflected rock outing dripping in hooks. Led by emotive vocal work and wrapped in a misty atmosphere, the track glides through passages of rolling drums and surging sonic energy to deliver a spectacular burst of bold indie rock int he final moments.

Closing the EP is “Miss Understands,” a exhilarating send-off that brings everything full circle. Bright, rhythmic and truly anthemic, it captures a band firing on all cylinders with an infectious pop rock offering brimming with memorable vocal leads and bustling energy cut with spacey moments of stripped back aesthetic to craft a superb finale to the band’s incredible second EP.

Listen to HOMEGROWN below