De La Mancha - Atlas

Initially starting out as merely an expressive outlet for a couple of schoolfriends with some creative urges and a few bottles of wine, De La Mancha may just have stumbled upon something worth a great deal more. Their debut album Atlas might range from soft and subtle to driving and forceful in places but always manages to be dynamic and engaging. Album highlights Lotus Seven and the wonderfully titled Superstoned are two prime examples of the energetic rock that recalls their Swedish counterparts Soundtrack of Our Lives in full flow. A nine-track album clocking in at over an hour, sometimes (but very seldomly), Atlas's songs can feel somewhat overblown, but this merely adds to the record's individual charm. This is a fine debut from a band who could be an intriguing festival experience over the coming summer months.