English Teacher - 'The World's Biggest Paving Slab'
Amongst the woozy splashes of alternative, bandleader Lily Fontaine finalises her thoughts on debut EP, Polyawkward that "life is a buffet" and by golly, have they been indulging.
With biting semi-rural stories and steadfast soundscapes of bizarre wonderment, English Teacher are everyone's tipped for rising stars this year and certainly into the next. Drawn from the bionic arm of Dry Cleaning's barbed lyrisicm to the alternative indie sparkle of Honeyglaze, comes a different beast altogether. Following on from the aforementioned debut of Polyawkward in 2022 - with spiral gaze A55 turning the most heads - their ascent continues to greater heights with The World's Biggest Paving Slab. An intoxicating slice full of energy, the song - making a sly comment on small town's local celebrities - is a two-fold statement. It not only affirms the continuing consistency of the band as a class act but also is a congratulatory toast to their signing at Island Records.
The song is spliced with brittle guitar work and sludgy basslines into a euphoric chorus-cry to the heavens - a feat that the likes of Wolf Alice would be shaking their fists at for not coming up with it themselves. Along with their debut inundated with mesmerising musicality, they're fast becoming the hot topic when your roommate throws the age old question of, "who's your favourite band right now?" at you.
"I am the world's biggest paving slab / and the world's smallest celebrity."
The future indie titans are equally developing a foothold in the live setting too; not just in the studio. The group themselves have already supported acts including Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Paolo Nutini, Parquet Courts and Yard Act throughout their rather short stint on the circuit. It is absolutely worth mentioning that they've also had notable debut slots at South by Southwest and Glastonbury this year.
Concluding their summer festival run with appearances at Reading & Leeds later this month, English Teacher will be hitting the road again this autumn for their biggest UK run to date, including an eagerly anticipated hometown show at Leeds’ Brudenell Social Club, and London headliner at the iconic Scala.
Words by Alex Curle
