8/10

There’s certainly no shortage of indie bands trying to make their mark, but Manchester’s Florentenes are bringing an entirely new force to the scene. With their eagerly-awaited sophomore EP 'HOMEGROWN', the quartet channel years of pent-up energy from sticky-floored venues and bedroom demos into a sharp, dynamic offering that hits like a hometown gig at full tilt.

The thunderous 'FUEL FOR THE FLAME' doesn’t pull punches as it swaggers in with the kind of self-assurance and confidence that feels earned. Somewhere between the grit of Northern England's finest and the widescreen ambition of Britpop’s golden era, it sets the bar for what follows.

'MISS UNDERSTAND' burns with a more personal fire. Written in the throes of adolescence, it simmers with unfiltered gusto before erupting into cathartic riffs and urgent vocals. It’s messy in the all the right ways, and just the right amount of chaotic.

'THE GUN' keeps things moving with a hook-laden rush of guitars and hooks that beg to be shouted back at a festival crowd. It’s got the charm of early 2010s indie without feeling like a throwback, adding a freshness to their already dynamic direction.

While 'WHAT IT TAKES' is where the band’s knack for melody and momentum truly shine. Infectious and full of life, it captures that rare spark when a band stops sounding like their influences and starts sounding like themselves.

There’s a confidence to 'HOMEGROWN' that belies the band’s relative youth. It’s a snapshot of where Florentenes are and where they’re headed. If this is what they sound like at the start of their arc, the next chapter is going to be truly explosive.