This Could Be Texas

I'm typically a fan of Windmill scene bands, however English Teacher don't have much identity of their own. They obviously take parts from their peers, you have art punk, post rock, and even BC,NR style chamber pop, but none of it is done particularly well. I found the post-rock songs to be the better songs on the album though.

There is a bright spot in English Teacher's style, and that is the poetry that infects some of the song. I'm guessing the front-woman of the band is a poet in her spare time, and I found the more poetic songs, such as Broken Biscuits to be the more interesting parts of the album. It does suffer a little from that "we're so British and quirky" style of lyrics that infect so many of these bands, including BC,NR, but the potential is there. The album could have been better if they leaned into that aspect instead of trying to chase the trendier bands.

Should it be on the main list: No

Top 3 songs: "I'm Not Crying, You're Crying", This Could Be Texas, Albert Road

Decent enough, like a hybrid of Ooberman, Roddy Woomble and Self Esteem. But if this is the best album of 2024, it must have been a pretty quiet year in British music.

One of the standard indie rock configurations.

While i am enjoying the resurgence of this style of uk post punk music, this band just haven’t clicked with me yet. I’m sure they might in the future.