Based out of Manchester, Succulents are a, “girl-and-boy-next-door lo-fi indie duo”, consisting of Laurie Hulme and Lucy Ridges. Laurie’s been something of a blog-regular over the years, both with his other bands Chew Magna and Big Other, as well as his much-adored solo-project Songs For Walter, while musical newcomer Lucy is probably better known as an established photographer. Today, the band are sharing their debut single Underdog, the first of a promised, “growing batch of unreleased Succulents songs”, recorded in a South Manchester bedroom, before being mixed and refined by Laurie’s brother Alex.

Underdog is a song that emerged from, “a period of retreat and reflection”, when, while expecting a child, Laurie left Manchester behind for his partner’s parents’ home in the South Lake, a time spent waiting, writing and playing guitar, full of both intimacy and restlessness, “a snapshot of abundant creativity captured under unusual circumstances”. As Succulents explain, the track explores, “a mischievous protagonist deliberately trying to provoke their partner, delighting in pushing buttons and watching the sparks fly”, hopefully not how Laurie was acting at the time of its creation!

Musically, Laurie recalls that the track began as an acoustic, finger-picked number, “but then I realised it would be better louder”, as he leaned into the kraut-rock influences of Can and his other project Chew Magna. The final piece walks the line between the fuzzy drive of Amber Arcades and the indie-pop flourish of Hefner, as the rhythmic thwack of the snare drum underpins layers of increasingly urgent guitar. Atop it all are the perfectly twinned vocals, Laurie’s lead shadowed throughout by Lucy’s backing as the lyrics revel in subtle cruelties, “you’re scathing, up in arms when you can’t make up your mind, I’ll throw in more options just to coax out your worst side, I love you indecision”. As promising as any debut single you’ll hear this year, Succulents might be underdogs, but they’re one well worth rooting for.

Underdog is out now. For more information on Succulents visit https://www.instagram.com/succulentsband/