From Nothing To A Little Bit More

In the ever-evolving world of indie rock, few bands manage to create the buzz that The Lathums did with their 2020 debut How Beautiful Life Can Be. A blend of infectious melodies and raw sincerity, it was an album that immediately etched the band into the hearts of UK indie fans. However, the question lingered—could they replicate that magic on From Nothing to a Little Bit More? The answer, it seems, is a resounding yes, though with a few twists and turns along the way.

Released on 3 March 2023, The Lathums’ sophomore album found them at a crossroads. The departure of bassist Johnny Cunliffe during the recording process added an unexpected challenge, but also a fresh dynamic. While Cunliffe’s exit might have left a few fans feeling a little blue (yes, we’re all for puns), Matty Murphy’s eventual addition as his replacement marks a turning point, one that is evident in the band’s sound.

From Nothing to a Little Bit More is, in many ways, a bold leap forward. Gone is some of the youthful optimism that defined their debut. Instead, the Wigan trio offer up a more mature, introspective sound, one that is as polished as it is expansive. The production, helmed by Jim Abbiss (best known for his work with Arctic Monkeys and Editors), is a fitting choice—there’s a depth to the album that speaks to Abbiss’ ability to draw out both subtlety and grandeur. The tracks shimmer with a new kind of confidence, each one carefully crafted to balance the band’s folk-tinged indie roots with a more layered, textured approach.

“Say My Name,” the album’s first single, is a testament to the band’s growth. It’s a song that feels both instantly familiar and strangely new. The sharp, jangly guitars are still there, but there’s an undercurrent of something darker, more personal. It’s a powerful introduction to the record, setting the stage for what’s to come.

Lyrically, the album takes a more reflective tone, with frontman Alex Moore navigating the emotional terrain of a breakup in his first serious relationship. If How Beautiful Life Can Be felt like an album for the carefree days of summer, From Nothing to a Little Bit More taps into that autumnal, bittersweet vibe—the perfect soundtrack for both self-reflection and self-redemption.

The opening track, “Struggle,” sets the tone. A melancholic yet hopeful anthem, it’s a song that speaks to the transformative power of music. As Moore himself admits, the band found salvation in their art, and it shows. There’s a rawness here, an emotional honesty that resonates across the record. But don’t worry, the album isn’t all doom and gloom—there’s still plenty of the upbeat, sing-along material fans have come to love.

“Rise and Fall” and “Undeserving,” however, have sparked a bit of divisive chatter among fans. While these tracks certainly have their merits, there’s an undercurrent of frustration from some who felt these moments didn’t quite capture the same magic as their debut. It’s a classic case of sophomore-album syndrome: the inevitable struggle to balance evolution with expectations. Yet, even within these moments of experimentation, there’s a sense that The Lathums are trying to push their sound, even if the result is slightly uneven.

Critically, the album has been met with largely positive reviews. Rolling Stone awarded it four stars, noting that it marks a varied, matured effort from the band, a far cry from their debut. Clash also chimed in, highlighting the album’s “little touches” and “flourishes” that point to the band’s growth as songwriters and musicians. But it’s The Telegraph’s Emma Harrison who perhaps sums it up best, noting that the band has “navigated their way through various difficult emotional experiences” and come out the other side with an album full of emotional resonance and musical depth. That’s a journey worth following.

So, is this the album that will define The Lathums as indie rock’s next big thing? Time will tell. What’s clear is that From Nothing to a Little Bit More is an album of growth and reflection. It may not have the same instant, infectious punch as How Beautiful Life Can Be, but it feels like a more cohesive, realised vision of who The Lathums are becoming. There’s a maturity here, yes, but also a quiet rebellion—an album that suggests they’re only just beginning to carve out their space in the music world.

In the end, while some may argue they’ve lost a bit of that first-album spark, the reality is that From Nothing to a Little Bit More feels like the beginning of something far more exciting. The Lathums might not be the same band they were, but they’re certainly on their way to becoming something better—and isn’t that all we can really ask for?