Project Overload: Project Overload
(Bandcamp)
CD/DL/ST
Released: 27th February 2026
Project Overload deliver janglepop with attitude and youthful exuberance on their second full length.
Janglepop has seen a resurgence in recent years with bands such as The Cords, Kiwi Jr, Chime School and Sharp Pins bringing the form up to date and back into popularity. Coventry band Project Overload can now be added to that list as they release their, eponymous, second album. It’s a clear step forward from their 2024 debut, New Beginnings.
It’s an album full of youthful exuberance and melancholy concerns about where they fit in the world and what exactly is this thing we call the world? The guitars are a psychedelic brew slashing out the jangly chords and insistent riffs, whilst the drums and bass hold it all together and the vocals contemplate life in its specific small moments. The interplay of guitars and vocals arrangements work well and often the lack of an obvious chorus creates a narrative feel to the songs as they stare at bedroom ceilings, walk in parks and gaze up at the stars, trying to make sense of the world. On opening track Waiting for Nothing to Happen, which starts with a harsh guitar sound but then bounces into the beat, the harmonies between the male and female vocals work really well, as the singers lie in their bedroom, gazing at the ceiling, forensically going over conversations in a shoe-gaze mood, and it has a near perfect chord change into the chorus.
There are hints of sophisti-pop on Silhouettes, which has a lilting melancholy feel as we spend time with a lover, watching the seasons change, and staying up to see the dawn.
The tremulous voice of lead vocalist Emily Birtwistle has a vulnerability to it in her wistful musings but can turn harsher on a fuck off and leave me alone song like Groovy, which has a jagged rhythm guitar and a staccato lead riff. Watch Me Try and Bite My Tongue have an indie-pop groove. The former song, with the male and female vocals over a bouncing beat, even has hints of the LA band X, whilst Bite My Tongue has a big opening, driven by a heavy drum and bass sound, whilst the guitar screeches like a constant nagging in the brain, and the lyrics scream out against an overwhelming world.
Wildfire has a punky feel, with the soft lilt of the vocals creating a juxtaposition with against the harsh lyrics. Straight In has a pop sensibility and beautifully captures the tenuous first moments of falling in love and sharing simple pleasures like staying up all night and talking, getting to know one another, feeling the connection. And Slide Show with arpeggio guitars and walking bass line describes the intoxication of love causing sleepless nights and brain fog. Late Night Dancing is a great disco tune with a funky guitar sound that describes the beauty and trance like infusion of dance. Track 4:3 has a guitar opening like distant thunder, then the lead guitar cuts in like drops of rain. The vocals sound as if they are delivered from a figure huddled, wrapped arms around themselves, peeking out at a world gone dark.
It’s an album of unrequited love, love turned bitter, of the beauty of young friendships and the testament to the old saying that the more things change, the more they are the same. Project Overload have produced an album of excellent songwriting with lyrical perception and great tunes.
They are: Emily Birtwistle: vocals. Callum Hall: bass. Joe Friday: drums. Lucas Male: guitar, vocals. Tom Male: guitar.
The album was produced by Mason Le Long at Studio Subwuf, Coventry
~
You can find Project Overload online here, Bandcamp, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, BlueSky.
All words by Mark Ray. More writing by Mark Ray can be found at his author archive. And he can be found on Instagram.
A Plea From Louder Than War
Louder Than War is run by a small but dedicated independent team, and we rely on the small amount of money we generate to keep the site running smoothly. Any money we do get is not lining the pockets of oligarchs or mad-cap billionaires dictating what our journalists are allowed to think and write, or hungry shareholders. We know times are tough, and we want to continue bringing you news on the most interesting releases, the latest gigs and anything else that tickles our fancy. We are not driven by profit, just pure enthusiasm for a scene that each and every one of us is passionate about.
To us, music and culture are eveything, without them, our very souls shrivel and die. We do not charge artists for the exposure we give them and to many, what we do is absolutely vital. Subscribing to one of our paid tiers takes just a minute, and each sign-up makes a huge impact, helping to keep the flame of independent music burning! Please click the button below to help.
John Robb – Editor in Chief