Fightstar: 'Floods'

Annoying as it is to admit, former Busted frontman Charlie Simpson has created something kind-of-actually-ok with Fightstar.

A whole lot more intense than the former boyband, it remains to be seen whether or not this was Charlie’s own choice or something his management told him to do (“honestly, Charlie. emo’s the new rock, you’ll see”). Still, from the strength of latest single 'Floods', there’s an element of depth to the emo shenanigans the band have previously been lampooned for embracing.

Though trawled from the soundtrack of ITV's mid-budget Bank Holiday weekend TV-movie of the same name, 'Floods' bucks the trend for rubbish tie-ins with this decent, dramatic take on how the end will come to us, all in grungey guitar fashion. Classical-influenced piano combines effectively with surprisingly less-whiney-than-normal vocals from Charlie and we’re left almost (almost) caring if civilisation lives or dies. No mean feat for the man who shared a band with the fool who formed Son Of Dork.

Released on 3rd March 2008 by Institute.

Written by Nick Aldwinckle.