Nightbus' new single "Mirrors" presents an odd yet intense nocturnal trip

Hailing from various parts of the north of England, three twenty-somethings bonded over their shared music taste and coalesced to form indie eclectic group Nightbus. The band features Olive Rees on guitar and vocals, Zac Melrose on bass, and Jake Cottier on guitar and samples, and have so far birthed only two official singles.

The bar was set high with their first release, "Way Past Three", released on Valentine's Day just past. With an effortless sophistication, the band started rippling the waters with the single's simple and catchy style. The track's accompanying visual, directed by Melrose, well illustrated the core temper of the band, aiming to soundtrack frenzied and sleepless late nights, bouncing focus between the reverberating light and shadows that come with dusk.

The bass line and so-bare-drumming of latest track "Mirrors", paired with Olive's disquietingly elusive vocal, maintains the expectations of their debut single, reintroducing us to this smoky and nocturnal soundscape. “"Mirrors" was one of the first tracks we wrote," explain the trio. "The lyrics track the mind of delusion and confusion, a warped narrative that can only be resolved by that moment of realisation."

They continue, "the lyric “when these mirrors speak my mind it’s a lost direction” defines that moment I know many of us know far too well. It’s essentially the “what the fuck am I doing” part of the night. I think too many of us thrive within the reasons to get messed up, when in reality these nights always lead to regret, embarrassment or having to soothe yourself with some kind of justification.”

So who are these guys, and what makes them so catchy? ""Mirrors" was a time and place for us as a band. It only seems right that for us, sonically our influences take a front seat at times. On this track I think we were making a statement and also paying respect to some of those influences. We’re not a post-punk band but by all means we can do it."

On only their second single, the band have already carved a sound so emblematic of the night blurring into the day, with their sparse yet pacy production adding to the intense nocturnal atmosphere that envelops their music.