Runaway Strangers are experts at genre acrobatics. In the space of one song they can step from jazz, to rock, to pop and back. The London based five piece joined forces to release their first single Palmtree in November, and if you’re not curious about it then you’re wrong.

Before even pressing play, I was intrigued by the artwork. It features a mossy haired hipster enjoying a cigarette on a lawn chair, seemingly floating in the abyss. The tune cracks in with a stage theatre style piano line and raucous drumline. An electric guitar shreds a solo before the vocalist begins describing the aforementioned hipster. He has “palm tree hair” and “glasses too big for his head”.

A point of difference in the band is their use of two lead female singers. Their voices, while different from each other are complimentary. Both women perform with passion and impressive vocal control, reminiscent of Taco Joint. They are supported by an exemplary team of instrumentalists, boasting wicked drum fills and a sweet rhythm section.

The song stays fresh with a surprise bass solo three quarters of the way through. The bass is joined by what can only be described as a robot having a yarn, and then an epic vocal build. This innovative bridge gives the listener a break from the rhythm of the song, refreshing their ears for one final fireworks display of a chorus.

Catch this self proclaimed “emotional mess” on Facebook and Instagram.