Eagulls are the latest hype-machines to bust out of Leeds, England, and if their first official single, “Tough Luck,” is any indication, the other bands better get the hell out of their path. From the first rip and roar of feedback, it’s obvious that “Tough Luck” means more than business.
The track is a four-minute frenzy of lean rock, propelled by a lot of angst and drums that sound like thunder in need of lightning. Frontman George Mitchell’s vocals are utterly unintelligible outside of the chorus — but “Tough Luck” becomes strangely more rousing with each blended syllable, pumping you up more than Hans and Franz ever dreamed of doing.
“Tough Luck” is by far the catchiest track the Eagulls have released, breaking down the barrier between incessant and immensely satisfying. And it’s also the one that makes me want to punch-dance the hardest. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go punch-dance now.