SINGLE REVIEW: ROSWELL ROAD - OUT OF THE DARK

One of the saddest things about C2C 2026 is that it is going to deprive us of a chance to see Roswell Road at The Water Rats. Their latest single "Out Of The Dark" only confirms that this will be a temporary delay in getting to see them live. as it is a most intriguing, alluring sound that only makes you want to hear more.

Produced by The Dunwells, the combination of the soundtrack and the harmonies at first seem to be disparate and yet at the same time it is hard to imagine how it could be different, it is an effect similar perhaps to hearing Portishead's "Sour Times" for the first time.

The initial harmonies are repeated and in the distance, the foreground being occupied by guitars, yet even they seem to be trying to fill a huge empty space. If they wanted attention - they well and truly succeeded.

When the vocals appear, at first they seem a little cryptic

"Woman is not an island

She needs her sanity

Will someone hold my hand through

This fierce anxiety

Where my stomach used to be

There is a helium balloon

And my head feels like a hornets nest in June"

It is however linked to Jamine Watkiss's chronic stage fright, now thankfully under control but armed with that detail it really opens the door into the details of this song and how there can be light at the end of the tunnel.

"Shrug off the fear and sing another song

Soon a new day comes - tomorrow.

Closed doors will open, better times will come,

Night’s already done,

Step out of the, out of the dark."

The next verse, brings that slow progress to light, in the fight to conquer inner demons.

"One step before another

Breathe in and then breathe out.

Working to make it easier

To live with this self-doubt."

Musically inventive throughout they are fast racing to the top of out "Must See" list.