B-Side Guys

From the halls of a music college in late 2023 emerges Poets Corner’s “Over and Over,” a debut single that transforms romantic frustration into indie rock catharsis. What began as a simple three-chord progression has evolved into a blistering commentary on dating déjà vu, crafted by five strangers-turned-bandmates who found themselves thrown together by a college tutor’s decision.

The influence of Arctic Monkeys and The Reytons bleeds through every note, but Poets Corner manages to carve their own niche in the crowded British indie landscape. The band’s decision to abandon the metronome during recording at Woodley Moss Studios proved serendipitous, lending the track an organic urgency that no click track could capture.

Lyrically, “Over and Over” is a scathing portrait of romantic patterns, where the narrator finds himself trapped in a loop of identical relationships. The opening lines “I doubt it but I hope that one day you will change” set up the conflict between hope and experience, while the refrain “You’re the same as the last one” lands with the weary recognition of someone who’s seen this movie before.

The production, helmed by Connor Haggarty at Woodley Moss Studios, creates a perfect vessel for Cayden Oram’s frustrated vocals. Each instrument builds upon the last – from George Elderkin’s foundational drums to Robbie Yates’ driving bass, Oliver Lindle’s piano accents, and Oakley Gorman’s guitar work – creating a sound that’s both polished and raw.

The repeated mantra “I hope your ego dies / Your thoughts I can despise” transforms from accusation to revelation as the song progresses. It’s not just about one person’s narcissism – it’s about the narrator’s own pattern of attraction to these types, a realization that hits harder with each iteration.

What’s particularly impressive is how the band maintains energy throughout the track without relying on the typical quiet-loud dynamics of the genre. Instead, they build tension through layered instrumentation and vocal interplay, demonstrating a sophistication that belies their recent formation.

“Over and Over” serves as both a warning and a confession, an anthem for anyone who’s ever looked at their romantic history and spotted an uncomfortable pattern. For a debut single recorded by a band of college students who met mere months ago, it shows remarkable maturity in both composition and execution.

“Over and Over” suggests that Poets Corner might be one of those bands worth watching in the British indie rock scene. While their influences are clear, their potential for carving out their own identity is clearer still.