Less than five months removed from its grand opening, Third Man Records London has announced its first artist signing, the UK-based indie quartet Island of Love. In celebration of this momentous occasion, the band has released the title track and live video from its forthcoming EP, Songs of Love, due out on March 18th.
Likened to Dinosaur Jr. and Teenage Fanclub, Island of Love arrives as a contemplative four-piece that pushes introspective lyrics, cohesive songwriting, and dark, layered harmonies. Born and bred in London’s punk, hardcore, and metal scenes, IOL boasts two frontmen, Karim Newble and Linus Munch, who have transformed the four-piece from a bedroom project to a signed band on the precipice of a major breakout.
Back during TMR London’s opening weekend in the Soho neighborhood, Munch and Newble led the group through an adrenaline-infused set that immediately impressed co-founder and owner Ben Swank. As the story goes, not even one minute went by from the end of the IOL set before Swank made the band an offer. Mere months later, Island of Love will release its first EP, serving double duty as the debut release from TMR London.
“Songs of Love was a collage of pretty wacky riffs Karim would play as guitar warm-ups until writing with the full band,” the band says. “Dealing with feelings of inadequacy, the lyrics shine a light on a way most of us felt before picking up an instrument, and the voice it’s since been able to give us.”
Watch IOL perform the title track, “Songs of Love”, live from TMR London via the player below, and head here for additional listening options. Furthermore, Songs of Love is available to pre-order/pre-save now. Following the digital release on March 18th, Third Man Records will press the EP on vinyl in July.
Island of Love – “Songs of Love” – Live from Third Man London
