Bradford

Bradford, a British indie pop ensemble known for its clever and tuneful style, captured fleeting attention from the music industry toward the end of the 1980s. This occurred in the wake of the Smiths' dissolution, as Morrissey hailed the act as the fresh standard-bearers for U.K. independent music. Even with widespread critical praise, the ensemble never achieved widespread sales. Following their dismissal by the record company, the group called it quits in 1991. After thirty years, a reissued collection of past work ignited fresh curiosity about the outfit, prompting a reunion and efforts toward creating original songs.

Morrissey's endorsement of Bradford came as no surprise. The ensemble, rooted in Blackburn, featured light and chiming guitar lines reminiscent of the Smiths' signature sound. Stephen Street, who had produced for the Smiths, took notice of their debut 1988 single "Skin Storm" and brought them aboard his Foundation imprint, which operated under Sire. Notably, "Skin Storm" marked the initial indie release to appear in compact disc format. Positioned as successors to the Smiths' melancholic indie rock legacy, Bradford supported Morrissey during his debut solo performance following the Smiths' split, held at Wolverhampton Civic Hall in England. Under Street's production guidance, the lineup consisting of Ian Michael Hodgson handling vocals, Ewan Butler on guitar, John Baulcombe on keyboards, Jos Murphy playing bass guitar, and Mark McVitie on drums laid down tracks for their debut album on the label, titled Shouting Quietly.

Upon its 1989 issuance, the lead tracks "In Liverpool" and "Adrift Again" charted on the independent listings, yet the full record struggled to gain traction amid the rising Madchester movement. Ultimately, Sire cut ties with the band, leading to their 1991 breakup. Still, Morrissey's admiration persisted, resulting in his own rendition of "Skin Storm" appearing as a B-side that same year. In time, Shouting Quietly gained recognition as a hidden gem among fans, culminating in the 2018 release of a thirty-track remastered overview, Thirty Years of Shouting Quietly, via Turntable Friend Records. Hodgson and Butler assembled a fresh trio iteration of Bradford alongside their prior producer Stephen Street, commencing collaborative songwriting and recording sessions. The year 2020 saw the emergence of "Like Water," marking the group's initial output of new music after a thirty-year hiatus.