Not letting the boxes of traditional genre confine them, Easy Life are heading towards being Britain’s next hottest band with their latest mixtape Junk Food proving this more than ever. The Leicester five-piece are breaking down the definition of pop music by the seamless collision of indie and jazz, a sound uniquely theirs. From the witty lyrics featuring on ‘Dead Celebrities’ to the sultry, confident vibe felt in ‘Sangria”, this mixtape show they have nothing but a big future ahead of them.

Forming in late 2017, the band are moving from strength to strength with Junk Food being their 3rd ‘mixtape’ dropped as well as a series of singles, each buzzing with more energy than the next. They prove that hard work is essential to achievement with going from working menial jobs in hometown Leicester to performing shows to adoring fans and even playing at Glastonbury in 2019, headlining the BBC Introducing Stage. With their first single being released only in mid-2017 to being named second on BBC’s Sound of 2020 last year, it is evident the boys are ones to watch. Focusing their sound around a “form of escapism” as described by frontman Murray Matravers who’s lyrics let listeners see all his personal issues and experiences through his eyes. The band are creating music that you can feel that they love before anything else, valuing the simplicity of creating just good music above all.

Producing a sound that combines aspects of classic soft indie and funk so effortlessly is already impressive but the sprinkling of hip hop influences helps set songs like ‘Nice Guys’ as instant hits. Tight rhythms and riffs dripping with groove show the band have found their path; one that will lead to undoubtedly big things. The lyrics blend fun and insightful comments from the band, reflecting on generational views on life and love. This artistically crafted mood continues in the lush track “Sangria’ featuring stunning vocals from Arlo Parks and the lyrically astute ‘Earth’.

The piano-driven ‘Dead Celebrities’ is a stand out within the mixtape; emphasising the tongue-in-cheek lyrics and cementing itself as an indie anthem for this generation. The monumental year the band have had - including playing Coachella in 2019 - is seen to shape the album, the emotions of how it feels to grow but remain loyal to the environment that shaped them. This is seen in the bittersweet vibe of ‘Spiders’, showing them as a band rooted in what it means to be part of the new revolution taking over Britain’s indie music scene.

Easy Life are showing us what it means to be a band in 2020 and they show no signs of backing down. The mixtape continues to leave us longing for what will be an undoubtedly explosive debut album from the band and just furthers the excitement of watching them explode into stars.