Enter swim school, a four-piece indie rock outfit from Edinburgh. Their debut single ‘sway’ was released February 22, receiving warm reception from listeners who anticipated the first signs of what swim school had to offer. Nearing twenty- five thousand streams on Spotify in a mere four months is an impressive feat; and one which should not be taken lightly.

June 21 comes around, and swim school release their second single ‘take you there’. The intricate timing and execution of the intro is surprising and engages you in the song from the get-go. Reverb drenched guitars with a slightly driven bass work harmoniously together. The bass gives the track a driving force throughout the verses, using some great dynamics to change things up. The almost wet guitar sound drips chorus and delay. swim school may only have two releases to their name, but there is already a distinct sound forming.

I reached out to the band, and Nairn had this to say about the origins of the track; “The song focuses on the idea of taking someone out of a toxic situation - that situation either being a toxic relationship or being in a toxic place mentally - and taking them to a more positive and supportive place, again physically or mentally.” Frontwomen Alice pens the lyrics beautifully on this track. Her soft yet precise annunciation lays atop the sparkly guitars almost seamlessly. It’s a heartfelt nod to all those who have found themselves in a similar situation.

Photo: Eve Swinton — Photo: *Eve Swinton*

The drums on this track are perhaps my favourite part of the whole song. Nairn seems to have mastered the art of keeping the drums simple, but adding in some well timed fills and tasty chops which compliment the overall laid-back nature of the song well.

The production of this track is fantastic. Recorded and mixed by Mark Morrow, the sound is clean and sparkly, yet still delivers a bit of punch. Having worked with the likes of Vistas, Retro Video Club, and The 101, Mark was a great fit for this track.

I’ve seen swim school live, supporting Dancing on Tables at The Liquid Rooms. Watching them, it was almost easy to forget that they were a band only formed at the end of last year. The chemistry is there, and the set was tight, backing tracks linking to the live elements perfectly; a truly professional performance.

Sold out shows, festival slots, the list builds and builds. Edinburgh has a great indie scene at the moment, and the welcomed addition of swim school is one that is sure to bring plenty to the table. Keep an eye on this group, and take a trip down to one of their shows. If you’re looking for dreamy indie pop, swim school can definitely ‘take you there’.

Facebook: https://facebook.com/wereswimschool

Twitter: https://twitter.com/weareswimschool

Instagram: @weareswimschool

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7hC74DRW4q3obXLB5lTq4F