With One Direction making U.S. chart history and The Wanted covering Billboard Magazine this week, there's no doubt that British boy band pop is resurfacing in America in a mighty big way. With all that interest in handsome fellas cranking out high-grade pop, there sure is more room for talented guys bringing on hooky tunes. Enter Lawson. This London four-piece is firmly positioned to be the next hot British pop thing about to happen in the States.
To the uninitiated, Lawson is the teaming of frontman Andy Brown (vox/guitar), Joel Peat (lead guitar), Adam Pitts (drums) and Ryan Fletcher (bass). Respectively from Liverpool, Mansfield, Brighton and Chesterfield, the group was established when Adam reached out to Andy after seeing his acoustic covers on YouTube. The two met up, and invited pals Ryan and Joel to join as well that led to frequent jamming sessions in a shabby rehearsal room under railway arches in Shepherds Bush in West London.
The foursome started making a name for themselves when they were a special guest on The Wanted's most recent U.K. arena tour that got them noticed by many more new fans. Now signed to Polydor Records, they have spent more time out in Los Angeles in recent months soaking up the Cali sun and writing song for their forthcoming debut LP with none other than GRAMMY winning producer John Shanks.
The first single of their full-length effort is "When She Was Mine" that will be available in digital download store near you on May 27. Set to an anthemic guitar riff and anchored by a pacing rhythm section, this single neatly emphasizes Andy's soulful vocals and melancholic delivery that is backed by the group's slick harmonies that result in a potent, robust pop tune.
Andy's powerful performance and poignant lyricism on "When She Was Mine" should come as no surprise. He wrote the song after finding out that his ex-girlfriend had a new boyfriend that stirred a flurry of emotions and heartbreak.
Some have rumored that the song is about Andy's alleged ex-girlfriend Mollie Brown from The Saturdays. But Brown's emotionally-honest storytelling is not exclusive to his own situation. Lyrics like, "I'm breaking at the seams, dropping to my knees and nothing left of me," will hit a nerve with members of the broken heart club everywhere, which makes this song even more powerful. "When She Was Mine" is a surefire chart winner that firmly positions Lawson for continued success.