Apollo Junction - Here We Are + Here We Are (Acoustic at FortyFive Vinyl) (2023)

Here We Are is the third album from Leeds indie-pop quintet Apollo Junction and follows in the tracks of Mystery (2019) and All In (2021). The band consist of Jamie Williamson (vocals/guitar), Matt Wilson (lead guitar), Jonathan Thornton (drums), Ben Hope (bass), and Sam Potter (keyboards).

Speaking about Here We Are Jamie Williamson explained that the album is ‘a stirring call to action to those who need a push from behind’ and it celebrates ‘the special people who stand behind us through thick and thin’. Listening to the album you get what Williamson means. Throughout the album there are reoccurring themes of solidarity and camaraderie. Theses are songs you can go down the pub with and put the world to rights. Fans of the band may have feelings of familiarity with the album as six of the ten tracks have previously been released as singles.

Stylistically Here We Are is a jubilant chunk of synth-fuelled, indie-guitar pop, sprinkled with rock aesthetics. The songs on the album are brimming with catchy melodies, swirling guitar hooks, bouncing basslines, and most of all anthemic choruses – choruses that were written to be sung along to. That need to bring people together permeates all things Apollo Junction. In the past singer Williamson has stated ‘We wanted to create a family, we want our fans to feel like they know us through our songs but also we try to give a piece of ourselves to them! No-one should be alone in life, and no-one is alone at an Apollo Junction gig’.

The album opens dramatically with By The River a song whose keyboard laden inspiration would appear to be influenced by classic synth-rock giants like Simple Minds. Endings is something of a misnomer. With it’s optimistic message of hope for the future, emphasised by the song’s rousing chorus ‘Give it all you’ve got for tomorrow’, the song reminds us that every ending leads to a new beginning. Most recent single Magic is followed by Mil1ion a chirpy, poppy piece of positivity. With it’s spoken word, advisory tone Wiliamson has described Mil1ion as being ‘every word of advice that you could give to someone you care about…and the advice you should also give yourself when the world doesn’t quite seem on your side’.

First entirely new track is the shimmering, up-lifting, Breathe Out. The song starts with a click-track drum beat, lingering synth chords and a reverb loaded guitar-riff, but quickly ascends to Apollo Junction’s signature anthemic chorus. Williamson urges the listener to live in the moment, put your worries behind you and ‘remember breathe in now, remember to breathe out’. Sound advice. Perfect Plan, another previous single, is a dirtier, scuzzier track that sees Apollo Junction demonstrating their rock sensibilities.

Three new songs appear back-to-back Outside, Wasting Time which starts with robotic vocals and quickly romps off into bombastic glam-rock territory, and the albums title track Here We Are, a swirly optimistic tune built around a simple, dreamy, catchy four-note guitar riff.

The final track of the album History, finds Apollo Junction in a reflective contemplative mood. It starts plaintively with a single acoustic guitar, builds dramatically with the introduction of a theatrical string section, before resolving itself with that opening wistful guitar riff. Thematically, the song is about the band’s journey, along with that of their fan’s – ‘History. The space between you and me’.

Here We Are was produced by Andy Hawkins and mastered by John Davis at Metropolis. Ever the sticklers for detail, and adding quality to the total package is the album’s excellent artwork by Matt Lodge. The album is released on October 20th on the band’s own label Shed Load Records, as well as being available to download and stream, you can purchase it on CD, coloured vinyl, and my personal favourite, the Assai Records Obi Edition. It’s a noble endeavour and deserves to sell a shed load.