I remember first hearing Let’s Go Surfing by The Drums in 2009, and I think I felt how anyone must have felt when they first heard The Beach Boys for the very first time. I love The Drums because the mix the sounds of two bands that I adore in their music- The Beach Boys and The Smiths. They have a surfer feel to their music mixed with desperate, lonely, vulnerable and loving lyrics. They are one of the few bands that have perfected the art of misery and joy- sad lyrics, happy sounds. There are not many that can do this.

I saw The Drums live when they supported Florence And The Machine in May 2010, and I was just mesmerised by Jonny’s stage presence. He moved like Ian Curtis and Morrissey. I also remember my eyes wandering around the stage and I saw Florence watching the band from the side of the stage. Suddenly my attention just was lost; I didn’t know where to look. I was captivated by The Drums and Florence, it was a beautiful gig.

The Drums first album was a fantastic debut. As someone who highly adores the first album and was a bit pissed/upset with them losing a band member, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to the band. Would they call it quits? Would they take a different direction and just sound awful? Or would they carry on and sound stronger than ever? Of course, the latter is what happened. Portamento has instantly blown my mind. With first listen I am utterly captivated by the sounds and Jonny’s angelic voice.

What I love about The Drums is they constantly have this summer vibe to their music. I’ll be listening to this album in the cold, cruel British winter and I know it will feel like I am on a beach watching the sun set. If you’ve never felt lonely (admit it, you have- you’re human after all) or never had your heartbroken, you will feel like you have when you listen to Portamento. There’s more hurt and betrayal on this album compared to the debut. Maybe it’s to do with Adam leaving the band, maybe it isn’t. Whatever it is that makes Jonny write these gorgeous words down and sing them with such fragility, well there are no words.

I love that they didn’t take their time with releasing a second album, a lot of bands take a few years between the debut and “dreaded second album.” The Drums took a year- and in that year they’ve done so much and been through so much.

Portamento has synths- for someone who really isn’t a massive fan of synths. I think this is because for the past 2 years or so most bands have seemed to have OD on using synths and neglected raw sounds. At first I wasn’t so sure if a band such as The Drums could pull off using synths- but seeing as they are a true band and are technical with how they create music, they use synths in a brilliant way. They don’t overuse them nor do they let them overrule The Drums sound that their fans adore.

I’m not one for picking fault in music, I don’t enjoy writing anything negative about an artist’s work- mainly because I’m in no place to do so. This is why I love The Drums; they create music that is instantly easy to love. They make it so easy to praise them and just enjoy the music they have created.

Book Of Revelation is beautiful, “And I believe that when we die- we die.” As someone who questions the existence of anything and everything, I find this song to be extremely intriguing. I could probably just listen to this over and over, just to get answers to all I question. Maybe I’m of that age where I just doubt and question anything/everything. To be honest though, I’ve done it my whole life and more than likely- always will.

Hard To Love (“I would never leave you, but you’re hard to love.”) and I Don’t Know How To Love standout for me. I just love the way Jonny vocalises the desire to love and to do anything for love. The Drums are a highly charming band; I think that is why it is easy to see why they are influenced by The Smiths.

Although I love the band and I think that Portamento is such a stunning album (yes it’s one of my favourite of the year, easily) it I hard to put into words as to why it is so bloody good. Their sound is a lot tighter than their EP (Summertime) and debut album, but it still has that wonderful daydream feel to it. You can just listen to the album and fall into a daydream that is 12 songs long. It’s just beautiful. I know summer is well and truly over, did it ever start? But The Drums constantly keep it going with their music. They provide the warmth and comfort you should get from the summer. It’s just a wonderful album from start to finish. You can tell that they have experimented a lot more with this album, for some it doesn’t always work- but for Jonny, Connor and Jacob it well and truly does work.