Swimming Tapes set the pace with their reverb-kissed third single "Tides"

The five-piece - four parts Northern Irish to one part St. Albans - have captured a sense of adventure more than any other new indie band to emerge in 2016 with their brace of wispy, reverb-kissed singles "Souvenirs" and "Set The Fire". That fine form has continued into their latest release "Tides", which features Price taking up lead vocals for the very first time on record.

The influence of American bands such as Real Estate and Ducktails bubbles under the track's bleached guitar tones and breathy refrains, but Swimming Tapes succeed where so many new dream pop bands fail: they take real joy in innovating and updating the formula, rather than simply cribbing from it.

It's no mean feat, making nostalgic riffs and beachy symbolism sound this effortlessly fresh and intoxicating. As Price says, "When we started the band we had a sort of rule that we would only use guitars, keep it fun and not get bogged down in over complicating things with studio stuff and other instruments." Consider that a job well done.

Swimming Tapes play our new music festival, The Five Day Forecast, in January with mighty up-and-comers Leif Erikson and Amsterdam-based producer Klangstof. Tickets are selling fast - you can grab 'em here.