First Listen :: Apollo Junction

Words: David Beech



Hailing from both London and Leeds you could be forgiven for thinking that Apollo Junction’s sound might be as split as their geographical location. However, the five-piece make their own brand of delightfully inoffensive electro indie pop that transcends the usual 80s obsessed synth sound in favour of something much more melodic and memorable.

'I Want To Be A Mystery' is camp and flamboyant, but that's the beauty of it. Proclaiming that he's “had a hangover since 2001”, singer Jamie is sure to appeal to more than a few people with his cheeky descriptions of youth and all it's foibles. A synth breakdown in the middle of song verges on overindulgence, but manages to avoid it, just, whereas 'Born for Now' starts with distinctly Killers-esque vibe before becoming a dance-fuelled party that would be right at home on some of this summer's festivals’ smaller stages.

'Begin' carries on in a similar vein. Uplifting synth perpetuates the song, giving off a distinctly euro-pop feel without the cheese that the genre upholds. The synth gives way to a gently picked guitar breakdown about two thirds of the way through which in turn sees itself become the fully-fledged dance song that was hinted at in the first half.

'Here Comes the Zombies' is a ska-inspired romp in which the intro sees the guitar playing the part you've come to expect from the synth. Sounding like at times like a bubblegum Gogol Bordello, this song is definitely out of character when compared to the other songs featured on the band’s Soundcloud. However that shouldn't detract from how good this song actually is. The chorus sounds slightly out of place, sounding a bit like Two Door Cinema Club, but the transition from that back in to the bouncy bassy verses is fantastic.

What sets Apollo Junction apart from many of the unsigned bands that one comes across is the fact that they don't take themselves too seriously. In a scene that's filled with New Order derivatives it's refreshing to see a band that utilises it's synth differently. Instead of creating something dark and atmospheric, Apollo Junction's songs are filled with tuneful melodies that you can dance to. While their overt synth use might put off some people, it's sure to appeal to fans of bands such as Bastille, or Friendly Fires. Given the current musical climate on radio stations such as XFM, it's a big surprised that Apollo Junction have yet to be snapped up by one label or another, but it's only a matter of time.

The band play Dublin Castle, London on April 20.

Apollo Junction are: Jamie - vocals; Matt - guitars; Jonathan - drums; Ben - bass; Sam - keys/synths