The Falls have already conquered the Manchester circuit, and with over 100,000 streams on their debut EP Viva La Falls, the data suggests the rest of the UK is following suit. ‘Open Fire’ is exactly what a lead single should be: a high-octane mission statement that leaves you wanting another three minutes the second the feedback fades.

W: Mandy Morgan

NEW SINGLE ''OPEN FIRE'' OUT NOW

Manchester has always been a city that breathes guitar music, but every few years, a band emerges that doesn’t just follow the lineage—they ignite it. Enter The Falls. Since their 2023 inception, this indie-rock trio has moved with a velocity that suggests they’re less interested in "climbing" the ladder and more interested in sprinting up it. Following a landmark headline at Manchester Academy and a sold-out-in-seconds stint at Gullivers, the band returns with ‘Open Fire’, a track that proves their stadium-sized ambitions are backed by genuine bite.

Produced by Luke Owens, ‘Open Fire’ is a masterclass in economy. Clocking in under the three-minute mark, it avoids the bloated indie tropes of the last decade, opting instead for a "short, sharp, shock" approach. The track is anchored by a frenetic guitar hook that feels like a nod to the early energy of The Kooks, but with a gritty, North-West edge reminiscent of The Courteeners. It is a relentless arrangement where melodic bass lines weave through explosive drumming, creating a foundation that feels perpetually on the verge of combustion. Harrison Sharp delivers a vocal performance defined by urgency, capturing a palpable "loss of control" that mirrors the song's frantic pulse.

While the music is designed for the high-energy mosh pits of The Castle Hotel, the lyricism offers something more contemplative. Sharp uses ‘Open Fire’ as a metaphor for the chaotic pressures of modern life—the feeling of being "shot at" by circumstance and the dizzying sensation of things falling apart. It is this self-awareness, specifically the recognition of when to pause and look after oneself amidst the disorder, that elevates The Falls above their peers. They aren't just singing about the chaos; they are providing a survival guide for it.

The Falls have already conquered the Manchester circuit, and with over 100,000 streams already banked for their debut EP Viva La Falls, the data suggests the rest of the UK is following suit. ‘Open Fire’ is exactly what a lead single should be: a high-octane mission statement that leaves you wanting another three minutes the second the feedback fades. Manchester might have just found its next great export.