In its five-year history, the London-based band The Veils has already experienced a complete lineup change around leader Finn Andrews (son of XTC's Barry Andrews), whose music blends Radiohead-style emoting with a subtler, strummier singer-songwriter feel. On "Not Yet," the band works off a familiar but effective template, taking a deliberate, brooding route to the over-the-top emotion of a blaring chorus.
That unhinged passion may define "Not Yet" at first listen, but subsequent attention reveals a surprising assortment of themes and ideas, as Andrews introduces references to war, motherhood, disease, death and even a veiled mention of homosexuality. For all The Veils' energy and intensity, it's that element of surprise that makes its music not only stand out, but also endure.
Listen to yesterday's 'Song of the Day.'
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.