The Stockport lads set out to impress with their debut outing and prove that they’re definitely ones to watch

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.