B-Side Guys

In the storied lineage of British indie music, certain geographical locations have become synonymous with distinctive sounds—Manchester’s swagger, Sheffield’s electronic pulse, Glasgow’s melancholic beauty. Halifax, though less celebrated, has nonetheless produced its share of significant artists, from The Wedding Present’s David Gedge to Embrace. It’s from this fertile Yorkshire soil that EEVAH emerge with their sophomore EP “I Didn’t See It Coming,” a five-track collection poised to establish them as one of 2025’s breakthrough acts.

The trio—vocalist/bassist Nicole Hope Smith, drummer Fay Clayton, and guitarist Richard McNamara (of Embrace fame)—have cultivated significant momentum following last year’s debut EP “Simplify Life” and a sold-out UK tour. Their follow-up, releasing May 22nd, represents remarkable evolution in both sonic ambition and emotional depth.

Recorded at McNamara’s Magnetic North Studios in Halifax, the EP opens with its title track—a composition McNamara describes as embracing rather than avoiding the sonic signatures of his other band. “I Didn’t See It Coming” lives up to this description, combining cinematic scope with emotional intimacy. Smith’s vocals navigate the narrative of unexpected rejection with remarkable control, conveying bewilderment without melodrama as she poses the universal questions that follow relationship dissolution: “Didn’t I do everything right, wasn’t I there when I needed to be?” The production creates expansive atmosphere while maintaining rhythmic drive, establishing the EP’s sonic template: big without bombast, emotional without excess.

“I Still Think Of You,” which has already received 6Music airplay from Chris Hawkins, further demonstrates the trio’s gift for crafting songs that function equally well in headphones or arenas. Clayton’s drumming deserves particular praise here, providing propulsive foundation that allows Smith’s vocals and McNamara’s guitar textures room to explore emotional nuance. The track occupies territory somewhere between Wolf Alice’s muscular dream-pop and London Grammar’s ethereal precision—a sweet spot EEVAH navigate with impressive confidence.

The EP’s mid-point arrives with “Lullaby,” which subverts its title by avoiding soporific gentleness in favor of hypnotic intensity. The track’s circular structure creates trance-like effect while Smith’s lyrics explore the things we tell ourselves to make difficult truths more palatable. McNamara’s production achieves perfect balance between electronic texture and organic instrumentation, creating depth that rewards repeated listening.

“If It Ain’t You,” which has earned Radio 1 plays from Jess Iszatt and placement on Amazing Radio’s playlist, emerges as perhaps the collection’s most immediate offering. The arrangement demonstrates remarkable dynamic control, building from intimate verses to an expansive chorus that showcases the trio’s understanding that restraint often makes eventual release more powerful. Smith’s vocal performance navigates emotional terrain with both vulnerability and strength, embodying the song’s exploration of realizing someone isn’t who you believed them to be.

Closing track “The Girl In My Head,” labeled as a bonus but feeling essential to the EP’s narrative arc, provides appropriate denouement through its exploration of internal dialogue. Clayton’s drums and Smith’s bass create hypnotic foundation while McNamara’s guitar work adds atmospheric texture rather than traditional lead lines. The production incorporates subtle electronic elements that enhance rather than distract from the song’s emotional core.

Throughout the EP, EEVAH demonstrate why they’ve attracted attention not just from radio but from established acts like Everything Everything, Duran Duran, and We Are Scientists, who’ve invited them as support. Their sound strikes ideal balance between accessibility and substance—catchy enough for immediate connection but layered enough for lasting engagement.

The trio’s DIY ethos extends beyond their music to their merchandise (which they’ll showcase at Tim Burgess’s Merch Market at Manchester’s Gorilla on May 25th) and their Patreon community. This holistic approach to artist-fan relationship feels increasingly essential in today’s fragmented music landscape and positions EEVAH for sustainable growth rather than fleeting virality.

As they prepare to launch the EP with a performance at Hebden Bridge’s Trades Club on May 23rd and continue building on momentum generated by radio plays and their BBC Introducing session (airing May 15th), EEVAH appear poised for breakthrough without compromise. “I Didn’t See It Coming” delivers precisely what its title promises—unexpected emotional impact wrapped in arrangements that balance ambition with authenticity.