Peter McVeigh is no stranger to the music scene. The Irish singer/songwriter is an alum of Belfast band, Eskimos Fall, whose last Twitter update in February 2010, simply says ‘broke up’. But McVeigh is soldiering on. When he’s not teaching music in Belfast Metropolitan College, he’s creating it, with his first EP, ‘Lights’.
The opening riff of Only The World, is jumpy but pleasant. It’s all very Goo Goo Dolls, an influence he openly alludes to—thankfully—as the comparisons are so obviously made. While his confident vocals demand attention, there’s an undeniable warmth to his music. Feedback and twinkling chords interrupt at all the right moments. There’s nothing terribly distinguishing about it, but it’s a radio-friendly tune with lots of heart.
Judas, is the weakest track on the EP, but McVeigh’s vocals can’t help but wrap themselves around you. The track is impossible to dislike, but entirely possible to forget. Out Of Control lifts the pace once again. A guitar-driven plea, with fraught lyrics contrasting a cheery and bordering-on-celebratory instrumental. Passion pours from the chorus, with McVeigh’s vocal almost exposing him as the long-lost fifth member of the Coronas.
Closer, Dancing, gets so soft it would break off into your tea. “I‘ll always be there when you need me, I‘m only a lifetime away/ and I‘m proud of you, for how you lived your day.” But there’s a nice sway to it, helped from a romanticised piano softening the pace throughout. However, there’s still the nagging feeling that you’ve heard it somewhere before.
Lights is quite a safe EP, but a nice one at that. McVeigh speaks about a subject we all know—heartbreak—but often in a way we’re all too familiar with.