English Teacher have long been tipped as one of Britain’s hottest new bands. On their debut ‘This Could Be Texas’, they go a long to proving the praise is necessary: an impressive collection of songs meandering between big post-punk statements and gentle ballads, split between quirky and emotive tones.
The Leeds quartet’s origins go back to 2018, though it wasn’t until 2020 – during the heights of the COVID pandemic – that they finally took the plunge to becoming a band. While early single ‘R&B’ put them on the indie underground map, it was 2022 debut EP ‘Polyawkward’ that catapulted a new wave of acclaim they’ve been riding ever since.
Last year was English Teacher’s biggest yet. The four-piece – who are formed of enigmatic lyricist Lily Fontaine, guitarist Lewis Whiting, bassist Nicholas Eden and drummer Douglas Frost – found themselves further thrust into the big time. They signed a major label deal with Island Records, supported New York garage rock icons Yeah Yeah Yeahs and were chosen to perform on BBC’s Later… with Jools Holland.
Still, after a few well-received singles, the question remained; could they deliver on their first full length release? This they do. Well, for the most part, anyway.
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‘Albatross’ brightly opens the record, carried by pretty pianos and an intriguing build-up to an explosion that never arrives. A move towards ominous sonics then carries the interest into familiar second track, ‘The World’s Biggest Paving Slab’: an enticing tale of semi-rural celebrities from where Fontaine grew up featuring a sludging bassline to compliment the chorus euphoria and deadpan vocals (you must suspect Dry Cleaning singer Florence Welsh was a big influence here…).
Despite the bright start, there are several early moments on ‘This Could Be Texas’ that loses focus slightly. At points, we’re ready for a change up and thankfully English Teacher are willing to oblige, pulling an ace from under their sleeve in the form of a killer mid-section. This is achieved firstly through ‘Not Everybody Gets To Go To Space’: a delightful slice of psych-pop sounding like a distant relative of Radiohead’s ‘Subterranean Homesick Alien’. Into the second half, a newly recorded version of angsty early single ‘R&B’ has Fontaine critique being a woman of colour in the music industry to heighten the intensity furthermore.
A heap of charm then surrounds heartbreak anthem ‘Nearly Daffodils’. An explosive chorus contrasts to the singer’s frustrated exploration of unfulfilled romantic potential. She mourns: “Last night I dreamt that we lasted all the way ’til spring / But now the fields are full of red and blue with nothing in between…”
The closing section of the album is a less playful, more subdued run of tracks that take repeated listens to sink in. The subtlety of this part is only appreciated several listens in. Upon initial consumption, the lack of energy offered up wane’s attention, but only after several listens does the finale eventually shines through. There’s an undeniable warmth to ‘Sideboob’ with its glittering Tame Impala-inspired electronic production, then we’re swiftly led to ‘Albert Road’. The curtain closer subtly builds to a hair-raising scream from Lily Fontaine which has our interest piqued one last time.
‘This Could Be Texas’ is an impressive opening statement from English Teacher. The dynamism on offer is admirable, engaging and driven by existential indecisiveness (‘Mastermind Specialism’) and failed relationship helplessness (‘You Blister My Pain’). When English Teacher soar, this is a very special debut album indeed.
7/10
Words: Matthew Mclister
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