The Panamas share their self-titled debut EP
The Stockport lads set out to impress with their debut outing and prove that they’re definitely ones to watch
Photo: Press
After touring with fellow Greater Manchester band The Lathums early last year, along with having their single Beckoning Cat debuted on Steve Lamacq’s show on BBC 6 Music, 2020 was looking to be a promising year for The Panamas. But then, like so many other musicians, the quintet found themselves thrown into the unknown when live music and face-to-face interactions were put on hold, as the world plunged into Covid-19 restrictions.
However, this hasn’t held them back for long; the group have emerged on the other side of lockdown stronger than ever, with a brand new, self-titled EP just in time for the (hopefully successful) return to some form of normality in England.
Opener Breathless keeps you hooked from the very start, with the build-up of the bass, drums and piano in the intro seamlessly launching us into the bouncy, yet wistful track. There’s a definite hint of The Cure throughout the song, with the driving bassline, dreamy guitars and yearning lyrics resulting in a bittersweet but effortlessly catchy and danceable tune.
Between Grief and Nothing takes a different turn from the previous song. A much slower, ballad-style track, which tells a story of love and heartbreak. The words are complemented by the nostalgic-sounding guitars, which at times even give the vibe of a ‘50s love song. The poignant lyrics and emotive vocals are at the centre of the tune, and really convey the feelings of heartache after a breakup (“You were toxic from the start / I should’ve known that you would break my heart”).
After a few listens, the final track, Rita of Cascia, which has already been released as a single, has definitely become my favourite song on the EP. With the swirling acoustic guitars and an infectiously singable chorus, the tune has a proper Britpop feel — think Suede meets Manic Street Preachers. But The Panamas are no mere copycats and have drawn from this inspiration while turning it into their own fresh and unique style. I can really picture this track live, the powerful and uplifting sound being the perfect ending to a gig. This one is a proper earworm (in the best way possible) and is certainly a fitting closure to the EP.
A perfect accompaniment to the sunny weather, The Panamas is a wonderful showcase of diverse songwriting, which shows a variety of inspirations throughout, while still maintaining the unique sound of the Stockport five-piece. If this EP is anything to go by, we should be excited about what we can expect from The Panamas in the future.
