‘Big in the Suburbs’: Welly’s storming debut bursts onto the scene

Powerfully eclectic, unpretentiously incisive, and effortlessly energetic, Big in the Suburbs is the electrifying debut album from Welly. Exemplifying the very best of ‘charity shop pop’, Welly is one of the most exciting up-and-coming bands at the moment.

An ode to English suburbia, Big in the Suburbs is a humorous exploration of contemporary British life. The album is so firmly rooted in time and place and yet speaks to universal ideas of adolescence, relationships, and self-identity.

Underneath all this humour and eccentricity is a formidable degree of musical experimentation and aptitude. Particularly notable is percussionist Hanna, who endlessly experiments with the often-subordinate role of percussion, synths, and drum machines. Alongside a more traditional arrangement of guitars and bass, the drum machine adds greater complexity and innovation to each song on the album, and integrates an energetic core to every song.

Welly provides a resonant and socially conscious commentary on everyday life

The title track and first song of the album, ‘Big in the Suburbs’, establishes the style, tone, and magnificence for the rest of the album. It is a thrilling song in its own regard, while also encompassing everything which Welly ought to be known for. With its witty lyricism and irresistibly danceable melodies, ‘Big in the Suburbs’ exemplifies Welly’s commitment to illuminating the absurd within the everyday.

Beginning with a vintage-sounding audio clip, similar to many other tracks on the album, interest and expectation are piqued immediately. The opening line “Welcome to the brand new great British zoo” serves as an introduction to the album as a whole: Welly appears to spectate the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of British life, much like visitors to a zoo. There is no gentle introduction or gradual build-up; the song starts with a loud bang of energy which is somehow maintained throughout the track. The song combines subtly varying tempos with a combination of spoken word and singing, with background harmonies adding an extra dimension. Welly masterfully fuses incisive social commentary with catchy lyrics and melodies, typified by the enthusiastically performed line “Don’t spend a lifetime looking for heaven /When you can find it on the A27!”  

Similarly to bands such as Sports Team – who Welly supported on tour last year – the album is firmly situated in English middle-class suburbia. An unconventional setting for most pop songs, Welly provides a resonant and socially conscious commentary on everyday life. The unpretentious criticisms in ‘Big in the Suburbs’ that “It’s monarchy and poverty that make Britain great” are one of many which add a rather more mature and perceptive dimension to the album.

Big in the Suburbs sets a high expectation for Welly’s future work – if this is them at their beginning and most inexperienced, they are surely destined for stardom

The album’s title is indicative of this prevailing theme. Many tracks on the album represent the very personal experiences and musings of Welly. From nostalgia-filled ‘Family Photos’ to ‘Home for the Weekend’s’ relatable reflections on returning to familiar suburbia as an adult. The whole album has a tight personal affinity to the band, and yet remains deeply relatable to a vast audience.

Big in the Suburbs is an inherently homemade creation; the personal nature of many of the lyrics accentuate the authenticity of the album. It is clearly youthful and although the core of the album is powerful and effective, more diverse and courageous musical endeavours would enhance the album, making it a knockout. Big in the Suburbs sets a high expectation for Welly’s future work – if this is them at their beginning and most inexperienced, they are surely destined for stardom.

‘Shopping’, the track at the midpoint of the album, is one of the highlights. It begins with a complete earworm, which makes it instantly recognisable upon later listens. The simple backing tune to the opening line of “I want the high life / Up on the high street / Just like Paris if Paris is made of concrete” creates an exciting hook upon which the rest of the track builds. Witty lyricism, which Welly has become synonymous with, permeates the song, making it one of the silliest of the album. It establishes Welly’s desire to break conventions and not take themselves too seriously. Underneath the humorous comments about wanting “a Costa and a massive Aldi” is a more incisive commentary on the dilapidated state of the British high street. Symptomatic of many of the tracks on Big in the Suburbs, ‘Shopping’ masterfully melds social commentary with humour, built onto a thoroughly dynamic and playful melody. ‘Shopping’ makes a laugh out of the mundane, bringing sunshine to the bleak British high streets, somehow managing to break through the “café scaffolding” which Welly imaginarily sits between.

The album is authentic, honest and personal – all of which enhances their own eccentricity and silliness

Despite the whole album’s unrelenting vigour, ‘Soak up the Culture’ is perhaps the most energetic of them all. A brutal exploration into the culture of middle-class gap year students, this track is bursting with humour, chaos, and musical experimentation. The lyrics showcase Welly’s natural inclination towards entertainment and expression, with a powerful exploitation of language: “libertié, egalitié, and motorway”. This track potently speaks to younger generations, playing into many, often virally discussed, stereotypes about middle and upper-class young people. Alongside the witty core of the track is a showcase of Welly’s musical talents and willingness to experiment. The electronic drum machine is particularly impactful in the track, providing a thrilling and fast-paced beat throughout, often including synth elements. In the opening verse, the other band members speak, each occupying a different stereotyped persona. The different vocals aid the thick narrative present in the song, conveying a diverse and nuanced storyline. Once again, it resonates with a chaotic view of typical Britishness, but in this track it is a chaos which travels beyond borders with the madness of alcohol-fuelled holidaymakers.

Big in the Suburbs is a stellar debut album. It encompasses everything wonderful about Welly and the greater indie-pop scene at the moment. Characterised by its permeating humour, endless energy, profound messaging, and irresistible dynamism, the album is certainly memorable. In a bracing tour of British suburbia, Welly romanticises the mundane.

The album is authentic, honest and personal – all of which enhances their own eccentricity and silliness. Big in the Suburbs does more than breathe life back into indie-pop: it is a defibrillator of madness, ecstasy, and innovation which will surely electrify the contemporary scene. Powered by fun and friendship, Big in the Suburbs is enough to make anyone want to be friends and jump with these chaotic pop powerhouses.

Recommended Listening: ‘Shopping’, ‘Me and Your Mates’

★★★★

Listen to Big in the Suburbs here: