TOULOUSE
Despite a name that evokes South America, it is in the mist of the UK that Montevideo finds its inspiration. Spare chords, sharp musical flourishes, drum patterns and distorted vocals bring to mind Kasabian or even the Arctic Monkeys. A sound that lies somewhere between the Talking Heads and Fontaines DC, navigating between radio-friendly rock and underground influences. The four voices intertwine to paint a scathing portrait of our times, through bittersweet lyrics that satirise the foibles of our society and meritocracy: personal development, burnout and SUVs. Far from confining themselves to the conventions of indie rock – which they master with ease – they draw as much from the raw energy of contemporary post-punk as from the vocal harmonies of the 1960s, to create a sound that is both incisive and personal.
