The Stanford Family Band return with the warm glow of another era, announcing their radiant sophomore EP Go Again, out today via Krautpop! Records.
The Brighton quartet continue to carve out a distinctive space where C86 jangling guitars meet sun-drenched ’60s pop and the heartfelt introspection of classic ’70s songwriting, expanding a sound that feels both nostalgically familiar and refreshingly their own.
Threading together the bittersweet charm of forgotten pop gems, Go Again extends the band’s musical lineage with effortless grace. Rich harmonies, shimmering guitars, vintage synths and swelling organs sit alongside heartfelt lyricism, creating a collection that aches and sparkles in equal measure. There’s a timeless quality running throughout the record, one that recalls open-field festivals, crackling analogue recordings and the golden glow of AM radio.
Produced by Harry Hayes of Spotted Horses, who also contributes to the songwriting, the EP wears its influences proudly while never feeling confined by them. Echoes of Harry Nilsson and Paul McCartney’s melodic craftsmanship are woven through the songs, while the lush arrangements evoke the harmonic richness of The Beach Boys. Elsewhere, the band’s whimsical melancholy and analogue warmth place them alongside modern revivalists such as The Lemon Twigs and Drugdealer, balancing vintage sensibilities with an unmistakably contemporary spirit.
Recorded to analogue tape and shaped with a deliberately restrained production style, Go Again sees The Stanford Family Band fully embracing their love of ’60s and ’70s music while refining the identity first established on their debut EP. The result is a richer, more confident collection that moves seamlessly between intimate balladry and expansive sunshine pop, underlining a band increasingly comfortable in their own skin.
Speaking about the new release, the band say: “Go again is a sequel – we went for another EP as we felt we had some unfinished business in that area and wanted our last record to have a companion on the shelves. It’s been fab to have Pad and Harry with us this time around and to have more evenly split writing contributions, we think everyone really shines. We’ve tried to cover all bases with this one, Baroque, Sunshine and Power pop galore.”
The expanded collaborative approach pays dividends, with each member bringing fresh textures and ideas to the project. The songwriting feels broader and more adventurous, yet remains anchored by the band’s knack for irresistible melodies and emotional sincerity. While the influence of classic pop remains front and centre, Go Again also broadens the group’s palette, drawing inspiration from the velvety vocals of Karen Carpenter, the harmonic brilliance of Crosby, Stills & Nash, and the power-pop sophistication of Big Star.
Already building an impressive live reputation, The Stanford Family Band have shared stages with legendary psychedelic outfit Love and Australian favourites Bananagun, while also appearing at festivals including Bristol Sounds, Wanderlust and Deadfest, alongside showcases during The Alternative Escape. Those performances have steadily established them as one of Brighton’s most exciting emerging guitar bands, blending retro aesthetics with an infectious live energy.
With Go Again, The Stanford Family Band don’t simply revisit the sounds that inspired them; they breathe new life into them. Rich in melody, warmth and understated ambition, the EP is a confident step forward from a band proving that the golden age of guitar pop still has plenty of stories left to tell.
