Polar Maps – ‘Polar Maps EP’

 Back in March, I heard a song called ‘Stay Here With Me’ by a three-piece called Polar Maps, from my hometown on the Isle of Wight.

I loved it.

I can still say that to this day, no other single I’ve heard through this website has stayed with me like ‘Stay Here With Me’ – there have been many great contenders, but nothing as hauntingly beautiful as that one single. Wanna read the review? Click HERE.

Then, back in May, MF did a Q+A with the band, and they revealed they were in the process of gifting the world with an EP. (Read the full interview HERE)

Folks. It’s here.

My wait – I mean – The wait is over, and the Polar Maps EP, Polar Maps EP, has finally been bestowed to my ears. Now, I bestow my words of review to you.

Polar Maps EP

1. Home – First track in and I am reminded of the incredible harmony between Guy (vocals), Joe and Daryl. We stress our love for this harmony between three-piece bands here on MF, and perhaps no band – certainly a non-Punk band – is doing it better than Polar Maps.

‘Home’ is soft, Indie-Rock track, that likes to vary the tempo throughout. With “woo-ing” vocals, clanging riffs and a high lead-guitar, all of it is very reminiscent of those tracks from popular 00s bands like The Libertines – dare I say, Arctic Monkeys.

2. Open Your Heart and Soul – Once again, slow and soft verses lead to shouty, against-the-world choruses. It’s a track where all three have their moments to shine – but perhaps it is drummer Daryl that keeps you engaged throughout with a nice, catchy drum line.

‘Wooooahhhh. Woaaaaahhh. Open your heart and – Open your heart and soul!’ These guys have a knack for penning memorable choruses that can be adored by any sized audience.

But it’s already clear to see the time that must have gone into the production of this EP. It’s fluid, clean, no element overpowers another. Everything about what your hearing sounds so much greater than the level and recognition these guys are currently achieving.

3. Stay Here With Me (EP Mix) – Play my wedding guys?

Everything about what I think about this single can be read in my review from March. All I can add is that it’s stayed with me throughout the year and I still love it.

This EP mix may be their reason to have added the few little adjustments to the original single – but absolutely nothing has been taken away.

4. Not on Your Life – Shortest track on the EP and, if I’m honest, it acts as a nice stop gap between tracks three and five.

Sure, it’s no highlight, but it does feature another catchy chorus, sweet lyrics in the verses and there’s some nice guitar work in there.

5. Your Story – ‘Your story’s a broken heart; it’s how you tried to keep us apart’. Track five is the most sombre throughout the EP. Instead of wanting to shout the lyrics to the world, I felt like I’d rather take a moment of reflection and just keep my mouth shut and listen.

I do reckon ‘Your Story’ is a track you’ll enjoy much more by yourself than at a live gig, but that certainly doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy it any less.

6. Pick Me Up – A wonderful end to a wonderful EP.

‘It’s never enough just to be loved – but it’s enough to be loved by you’ – sure it’s another love song, but the lyrics are a joy and Guy’s vocals are as faultless as they are throughout the entire EP.

And although drums and lead guitar have their individual moments to shine, at times they come together for some grand moments that will definitely dictate movement in any live crowd.

And of course – yet another catchy chorus.

Every track is exactly what the entire EP is, and the entire EP is exactly what Polar Maps are: Undeniably memorable. Shamelessly catchy. Unbelievably Likeable.

I can’t discredit the incredible local talent that is around on the IOW, but if somebody was to ask me who my favourite Island band are, Polar Maps are the first name out of my mouth.

The EP is available for digital or physical purchase on their bandcamp profile, and if you want any gig information or want to know when the guys will be releasing new music, follow their social media pages below!

–          Twitter @PolarMaps

–          Facebook PolarMaps

–          Soundcloud.com/PolarMaps