In mid-2009, the British math-pop scene – which had previously flourished – seemed on the verge of death following the break-up of favourite sons Colour. However, like a particularly awesome phoenix from some particularly awesome ashes rise Tangled Hair, who count ex-Colour frontman and main songwriter Alan Welsh and as a founding member. So far the band has released a single EP (titled, strangely enough, First – a free download from their BandCamp site) but even based solely on those four tracks, their potential is blatantly clear.
Opening track and highlight “Just Like That” picks up almost exactly where Colour left off, although the guitar theatrics that defined that band have been somewhat reduced, replaced instead by subtler and more melodic tones. The result is a far more mature sound that, while not entirely different from other math-pop artists around today, definitely carves out its own niche.
The remainder of the EP continues this trend, with “Cardboard Hilltop” introducing keyboard to the sound, creating an interestingly laidback atmosphere, and “Emergency” emphasising the excellent vocal harmonies that made Colour so appealing way back when.
Gentlemen, I would like to introduce to you the saviours of British math-pop – Tangled Hair have arrived.
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Matthew Healy is a musician and student in Edinburgh. 
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