From Nothing To A Little Bit More

From Nothing to a Little Bit More is a confident step forward from The Lathums. Arriving just 18 months after their number one debut, the Wigan trio’s second album is bigger, bolder, and braver – a refined indie rock record that wears its heart on its sleeve.

Opening track Struggle sets the emotional tone: it’s melancholic but searching, a sonic unpacking of frontman Alex Moore’s breakup and the band’s emotional turbulence. This time around, they swapped producers – moving from James Skelly to Jim Abbiss, best known for his work with Arctic Monkeys and Editors. The shift pays off. Abbiss brings a rawness and texture that complements the band’s growth, pushing their sound beyond clean-cut indie into something with more grit and depth.

There’s a clarity of purpose running through these tracks. Say My Name is punchy and immediate, while deeper cuts are layered with little flourishes – the kind Clash praised as marks of a band maturing into their own identity. There’s still a touch of romanticism and youthful charm, but it’s clear they’re not interested in staying static.

Behind the scenes, the band quietly underwent a change too – bassist Johnny Cunliffe departed during the album’s creation, making this his final appearance on record. Matty Murphy has since stepped in, first unofficially, then as a full member.

Critical reception was notably stronger this time out, with The Telegraph calling it “one hell of a journey” and praising the band’s emotional candour. Rolling Stone applauded its range, while Clash pointed to the attention to detail in the album’s construction.

The fanbase, while largely supportive, remained divided – some held tighter to the debut, and tracks like Rise and Fall, Crying Out, and Undeserving sparked mixed reactions. But even amid scepticism, the ambition of From Nothing to a Little Bit More is undeniable.

The Lathums have expanded their world. And if this album is anything to go by, they’re just getting started.