The Maybes? are a Liverpool band. If you are not already aware of this before hearing Talk About You, it will become obvious from the minute that Nick Ellis rasping vocal kicks in. There are hints of The Las, The Coral, The Zutons and inevitably, The Beatles in this, the lead single from their forthcoming debut album Promise. That is not to say that this single is in any way derivative. The Maybes? merely wear their influences large on their collective sleeves but when the musical heritage of a city is this strong, who can really blame them? They have enlisted the services of renowned producer Head (PJ Harvey, Therapy? and Massive Attack) on their first album. He has a notoriously hands-off approach to the recording process and this way of working has clearly allowed the band to flourish in the studio. Promise must therefore be ranked as one of 2008s much anticipated debuts.
Talk About You is actually about the breakdown of a relationship. However, there is nothing maudlin about the song and not a minor chord to be heard. It sums up the joyous feeling that comes with the realisation that youre going to miss nothing about the other person and that youd be better off out of the situation. From the driving drum beat to the melodic guitar hook, this is three minutes of pure anthemic pop and it will surely become a regular in student indie discos before spring becomes summer.