The new single from THE GOA EXPRESS feels like an early taste of Mancunian Summer, only with less rain

The latest single from THE GOA EXPRESS is reflective of their roots, as it feels as though it could stand alongside the music of the Madchester era. Sung by James Douglas Clarke, the song has confidence in its sound, driven by the voice of Clarke and a sense that he could be transported to any point in time and still stand out for his unique cadence. 

Second Time comes after a 9-month break after the band’s last single Be My Friend and feels like a breath of fresh air. Hailing from Todmorden and Burnley, it feels as though the band were inspired by and will inspire drives over the tops in the industrial and rural outskirts of Manchester. The single is just what the world is crying out for after so many months spent inside due to the pandemic. The video mirrors the sentiment of escape that the song evokes, as we follow the band riding bikes in the countryside. 

The lyrics explore the coming of age, and perhaps the needed path of confusion that comes along with it. Lyrics like “How long shall we continue, while everything remains the same” represent the anxieties and restlessness of teenagehood and, while being wrapped in an upbeat song, connect to an audience who, no matter their age, have felt this at some point in time. 

The energy that Second Time and THE GOA EXPRESS encapsulate is that of a band full of adventure and the DIY spirit that the Manchester music scene was born from. As E.A. Parry said: “Manchester is the place where people do things”, and I can’t wait to see what THE GOA EXPRESS will do next.

Catch them on tour this year, including October dates with indie-darlings The Magic Gang, or nab tickets for the fantastic line up at Manchester Psych Fest.