Patawawa are back with their third single ‘So Late’, it’s the perfect track to reminisce about the festivals that could have been, ‘So Late’ is already on my summer playlist.

The Derby-based indie-disco trio have released two other singles from the same project (expected autumn 2020). In the meantime, they’re uploading wicked party playlists on Spotify to keep you entertained.

If you stumbled into a festival dance tent, Thatchers Gold in hand, and saw Patawawa rocking the stage, you’d be in for a treat. Using their beats as a sponge, absorbing all the best bits of the Great British festivals, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

Opening with Nile Rodgers noodling and retro clicks that prod and poke you to get up and dance, their harmonies simply glide over the top. Melting into those isolated synth notes in the bridge, which linger and hold out, like an outstretched arm pulling your closer to the front of the stage. The band are masters of chantable choruses, with hooks as sticky as the indie disco dance floors they perform on, Patawawa will always make sure they’re stuck in your head.

The track weaves a tapestry of synths and Bombay Bicycle Club riffs, but for me, it’s the bass which creates the driving 70s undercurrent – Patawawa would definitely get a John Travolta thrust of approval. While you’re focusing on the synths and vocals, the bass has a rip current effect, pulling you deeper into the track and before long, you’ve been dragged out and lost in the Patawawa world.

‘So Late’ has that pop sheen, glossing over the track with a lacquer of kitsch. It’s tuneful indie disco but still relatively uninspiring, if MGMT went down the Bee Gees route rather than the Doors. On this track Patawawa are tight, polished with intense energy, however, at times this works against them, it can start to feel clinical. Drowning out their best quality (their personality) in favour of an inauthentic mash-up of all the indie dance bands since 2001.

There’s also a lack of real meaning or depth within the lyrics when compared to their last release ‘Forget About It’. We’re desperately trying to scratch beneath the surface but despite our best efforts, we’re just finding a harmless bit of electro-pop. But boasting soaring Spotify streams, a live session at Radio 6 Music and a huge tour supporting Alphabeat, who really cares about deeper meanings? The grooves are infectious, you’re bouncing around with a grin across your face before you even realise. They have a spark, an oomph that never leaves, like festival body glitter rippling through every track.

Patawawa are the perfect band when craving a bit of festival nostalgia and self-indulgence, the perfect band to remind me of all the sun-soaked summers I’ve spent with friends. So picture this, the festival sun is sinking below the big top, Thatchers Gold split down your bum bag, ‘So Late’ is playing in the distance, and you’re still dancing…

Expect to hear a lot more from Patawawa! So remember to check out their past releases, especially the 80s dream anthem ‘Forget about it’. Their latest single ‘So Late’ has just dropped on all major platforms and the long-awaited album is set for release September 25th.