Tide Bends Bring The Nostalgia on Powerful New EP

Hailing from Asbury Park in New Jersey, Tide Bends is a four-piece rock band blending the shimmering landscapes of alternative, Britpop and psychedelic rock to create guitar-centric music that feels fresh and familiar in the best ways possible. Distilling the spirit of the legendary Madchester scene when bands were pushing the limits of rock n’ roll into heady new territory, Tide Bends fearlessly takes the rhythm and soul of that movement and presents it for a modern audience.

Led by singer and guitarist David Hough, whose rich voice delivers each lyric with a near-hypnotic restraint, Tide Bends came about after he crossed paths with drummer Dan Nolan. The two bonded over their mutual appreciation for bands like Doves, Oasis and BRMC and Dan opened David’s mind to a plethora of other music, including a bunch of relatively obscure bands of the 80s and 90s like the Feelies, the Charlatans and early releases from The Cure.

Their winding and diverse jam sessions were instrumental in developing the unique sound and direction of the band. In 2016, as a three-piece, Tide Bends recorded their debut EP Greened at a basement studio in Shark River Hills, New Jersey, with producer Paul Ritchie.Their first release captured the band’s fuzzed-out, reverb-heavy riffs and rhythms so well that Tide Bends recorded seven additional singles with Ritchie over the next few years.

In the summer of 2022, Rudy Meir joined the band on second guitar and synths, freeing up David Hough’s focus and expanding their sound. A year later, Zampini left the band and was replaced by MJ Hancock, a talented multi-instrumentalist on bass, adding his strong backing vocals to the mix and adding to the band yet again. As David Hough shares, “New harmonies and melodies followed almost instantly, and everything started sounding so big.”

Now they bring us their latest release with their brand new EP titled Say Yeah. With a new energy and a refined sound, Tide Bends opted to record Say Yeah at their studio rehearsal space in Neptune, New Jersey, with guitarist Rudy Meier engineering and mixing all five tracks to great effect, giving their sound a newfound depth and potency.

Opening track “Birthday,” kicks off the release with softly muted guitar notes before launching into a bright indie rock jam driven by the laid back snap of drums and David’s airy vocal stretches. Cut with intricate guitar flutters and underpinned by steady rhythm, the track rises to an anthem chorus of memorable hooks and swelling sonic energy.

Lead single “Glass Jaw” injects bouncy groove with the shuffle of drums as the crunch of a guitar riff gives way to smooth vocal melodies, crafting a moody indie outing that perfectly captures the latest chapter of the Tide Bends musical story. Bold guitar work and infectious rhythm collide as restrained vocals ride above to form a psych-tinged outing full of danceable energy and lofty aesthetic.

“Grasshopper” pairs playful guitar licks with splashy drums as David’s floating leads offer the perfect display of the band’s UK 90s indie inflected sound. On “No Clue,” stuttered rhythmic stabs and a vibrant guitar arrangement crafts a hazy pop-focused cut as the band continue to serve up slick modern indie moments on their flawless EP.

Closing the release with “On Repeat,” gentle guitar tones and soothing vocals combine with the lilting sway of rhythm to create a subtly anthemic sound that’s at once subdued and expansive to provide the perfect finale to the EP. From start to finish, on Say Yeah, Tide Bends deliver a thrilling indie rock listening experience brimming with stellar songwriting, originality and impeccable musicianship panache to deliver a must-listen release that’s sure to win over new fans around the world.

Listen to Say Yeah below