Photo by Grant Roberts
Peach Crumb’s debut outing takes Bedroom Pop and cranks up the dial!
I believe we should all frequently entertain the search for new sounds, Peach Crumb’s, debut Keeping Busy is a reminder why! This woozy pop number details how our anxieties can manifest themselves into every facet of our lives and that we are the ones who hold the power do something about it.
The band comprise of lead singer Becca Murph, who’s name provides the band with theirs, (anagram of Peach Crumb) and fellow band mates Aidan McAllister, Daniel Blake and Ross Coulter. The four-piece recorded this debut in 2023 with Chris McCrory (Walt Disco, The Joy Hotel).
Becca issues a soothingly sulky vocal performance on the track, akin to the likes of Beabadoobee and Clairo. Accompanied by a cosy, nod-along drum and bass groove that’s decorated perfectly in the verses by some Mellotron sparkle. This rather personal atmosphere created helps reinforce the important sentiment behind the track.
The band further highlight such sentiment saying, “Sadness often clouds our perceptions, in turn creating a negative world around us. Each individual holds the key to their own happiness and Keeping Busy is the reminder that we owe it to ourselves to be be the catalyst for change in our own lives”.
Around the midpoint of the song the backing drops out as the synth plays a dreamy riff reminiscent of the start of Abba’s ‘Thank you for the music’. Signalling an imminent departure from the typical lounge atmosphere of bedroom pop, as the song quickly morphs into an addictive indie-pop sing-a-long.
Building to its outro, that could be a chorus in its own right, Becca’s vocals heighten arriving on the near climactic line, “I’m keeping busy to distract my brain”. The tearing guitars soar to join her, rounding off a vibrant summer bop, that feels sonically reassuring and tells the listener you’re not the only one who feels like this.
I hope many more ethereal melodies are round the corner from Peach Crumb, as I can’t imagine a better soundtrack to supplement a wine aided, sunny summer night.