INTRODUCING
The Upside
Hailing from the Northern hub of British music - Newcastle-Upon-Tyne - The Upside are a band doing their thing in full-force, going against the grain, and making no apologies for it.
Led by singer and trumpet player Glenn Bruinewoud, The Upside are a collective of 7 musicians who have come together to create a ska-funk-pop fusion full of joy and infectious energy. Having released debut album Outstanding in our Field in 2021 the group followed this with Summer Days in 2023, moulding their sound and blossoming in confidence. As the band have settled into their sound, they have continued to offer a unique blend of genre, bending expectations, and positioning themselves as a pioneering force in the Newcastle music scene. Their latest single ‘Cheesebags’ continues this trend, offering an absurdly wonderful track that teases their upcoming album Panic at the Tesco due to be released May 25th.
‘Cheesebags’ opens with a simple, but playful bright guitar chord progression that has been clearly handled with great care in production, resulting in a smooth, condensed sound that still has plenty of punch. We get a few seconds to get familiar with this progression before it is joined by a brass hook, underscored by subtle vocals in unison with the catchy melody.
The upbeat vocals enter, with lyrics that duck and dive between comedic and romantically deep themes: ‘…dairy residue that houses all my terror fears’ followed by ‘…I’ll find you, never gonna lose you.’ The simultaneity of these themes teases the listener, hinting that the ‘cheese’ of this track is merely a charade for more profound feelings of the protagonist. As the track progresses, these lyrics repeat until disrupted by a bridge which leans more on the romantic side: ‘Where I roam, it calls me home…I want to go, it calls me home.’
Characteristic of The Upside, brass plays an important role in their new single. Taking more of a backseat role than in other tracks, the brass adds pockets of sunshine to ‘Cheesebags’. Echoing the key melody, the brass sits back in the track, allowing the vocals to have our full attention for the most part, taking centre stage at the start and towards the end of the track. When it gets its solo opportunity at 2:25, it’s layered with a natural clapping percussion, adding rhythmic texture to the smooth tones of the brass instruments.
‘Cheesebags’ really comes into its own in its final moments when the vocals stand on their own, with gorgeous harmonic layering that again emphasises the profound side of the lyrics. Bruinewoud’s vocals are joined by guitarist/vocalist Dan Mason, contrasting the bassier tone of Bruinewoud with Mason’s airier, sharper tones. This feels like the pinnacle of the track, descending back into full swing with the brass, guitars, and drums re-joining the vocals after this short break.
The Upside have re-produced fun once more with their new single ‘Cheesebags’, a delightful addition to their varied and unique repertoire. It’s clear that the group lead with creativity, with their music unfolding through a genuine passion of musical exploration and creation. With Panic at the Tesco coming in May, ‘Cheesebags’ is a perfect introduction for new fans of The Upside and a familiar joy for current followers. With gigs announcements to come, follow The Upside on Instagram to keep up-to-date with their exciting developments.
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