Review: Air Crash Detectives

Air Crash Detectives – Out of the Fog & Into the Sun

A thoughtful, unpredictable and quietly brilliant trio of tracks.

“Amazon Man” opens the EP with a slow, creeping confidence - a jangling guitar line gently pulling you in before a soft, blues-tinged sax enters the frame. It’s unexpected, but it works beautifully, setting a tone that’s both atmospheric and strangely comforting. The reflective vocal echoes over the arrangement, rich and deep, giving the track a world-weary gravity.

As the song builds, it begins to swing with a modern, thoughtful indie energy - mature, assured and intelligent. There’s a hint of Tom Petty’s storytelling warmth mixed with The Lemonheads’ melodic looseness, yet it still feels wholly original. Layer after layer unfolds, keeping you hooked as the lyrics paint a remorseful, powerful picture. Then comes the breakdown: a stunning, emotional twist that hits hard before the song dissolves into a gentle, fading release. A brilliant opener.

“Want” kicks things up a gear, striding in with a foot-stomping groove that showcases a completely different side of the band. The poetic vocal delivery leads the charge, surrounded by a lively assortment of instruments that add depth and colour. The track rises, falls, twists and turns - constantly shifting, constantly surprising.

Once again, Air Crash Detectives prove they’re masters of the breakdown; just when you think you know where the song is heading, they pull it apart and rebuild it with fresh layers. The slyly delivered “Gillian Anderson” refrain is a moment of humour that lands perfectly, guaranteed to raise a smile from anyone paying attention.

“What Could Be” closes the record by revealing yet another shade of the band’s palette. The soft, intimate vocal enters almost like an Irish folk lament, offering a gentle nod to Dylan in its phrasing and poetic cadence. Stripped back but never sparse, the track draws you into its story - a narrative you genuinely want to follow to the end.

Then comes the surprise: the chorus lifts the tempo and bursts into something far bigger than you expect, transforming the song into a real standout. It’s a clever piece of songwriting that proves understatement can make the payoff even sweeter.

Three tracks, three distinct moods and not a weak moment between them - Air Crash Detectives don’t just step out of the fog and into the sun… they take the long way round and light up the whole runway.