Stoke-on-Trent might not be the first place one thinks of when it comes to brooding post-punk, yet that’s exactly where Genius of the Crowd hail from. Combining lyrics that explore the essence of life, political and social issues, interpersonal relationships and the search for meaning, alongside hard edged riffs, driving drums and a rich musicality, the five-piece are far from your average indie band.

With influences that range from the contemporary, such as Fontaices D.C, to the classic, like Jimi Hendrix, there’s a feeling of freshness about the band, allowing them to stand apart from their post-punk peers. It’s something most evident on forthcoming single ‘Bluebird’.

Four-and-a-half minutes of moody, melancholy post-punk, ‘Bluebird’ is the first taste of the band’s forthcoming EP, and works as the record’s centrepiece. Building from an almost Cure-esque bassline early into something much more encompassing, darker and more desperate, it’s a statement of intent from a band who clearly know the direction they’re heading.

Indeed, with an EP release on the horizon, not to mention an as-yet-unannounced headline show in the not-too distant future, it’s clear that whilst Genius of the Crowd might not be a name you’re already familiar with, it’s certainly a name you’ll be seeing much more of over the coming months.