It’s been only a few months since Whitelands released their astonishing debut album Night-bound Eyes are Blind to the Day, and already they’re switching gears. If that LP was a late-night soul search soundtracked by rain-smeared lights and celestial haze, then their new standalone single ‘Heat Of The Summer’ is the moment the clouds’ part and the golden light comes streaming in.
There’s a surge of energy here that’s hard to ignore. It bursts out the gate with jangling guitars, bright and clear, underpinned by a rhythm section that moves with a spring in its step. The warmth is immediate. No long intros, no slow builds — just straight in with a groove that feels like sunshine on your back and pavement heat rising under your shoes.
What makes ‘Heat Of The Summer’ so striking is how effortlessly it catches a mood. The band don’t reach for nostalgia or cliché. They simply lock into a feeling and let it run. The guitars have a crisp, almost breezy quality, like they’re catching the light just right. There’s a looseness to the playing that makes everything feel alive in the moment, full of joy and motion.
Etienne’s vocals are more centred and confident than ever. Gone is the gentle murmur of earlier tracks. Here, he sings with intent, clear and present, delivering lines with a kind of quiet urgency that draws you in immediately. There’s no shyness. His voice carries the melody boldly, weaving through the chords with an easy charm. It’s the sound of someone stepping forward rather than retreating inward.
This track’s pacing also deserves credit. At just under three minutes, it never overstays its welcome. The chorus arrives early and clean, lifting the whole song skywards. It’s melodic and memorable with the kind of hook that settles in before you even realise you’re singing it back. There’s something carefree in the structure. The band sounds like they’re playing for the joy of it, not to prove a point.
While the lyrical tone still carries that introspective undercurrent Whitelands are known for, it’s presented through a brighter lens. Lines flicker with gentle yearning, but the overall atmosphere remains light on its feet. It’s not about retreat or reflection this time. It’s about movement, connection, and staying open to the warmth when it comes.
The decision to release this track on a flexi disc is such a perfect touch. It suits the fleeting, glowing quality of the song. Like something you find tucked into a summer fanzine or passed along from a mate who gets what you’re into. It feels like a postcard from the band. A snapshot.
And there’s more to come. Whitelands recently confirmed that album two is nearly complete. If ‘Heat Of The Summer’ is a sign of what direction they’re heading in, then we’re in for something special.
Available now as a limited-edition flexi disc via Sonic Cathedral and across all digital platforms. Flexis don’t last forever — neither do summers. Grab it while you can.
You can follow Whitelands on social media here……….
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