The first time we heard of Leeds-based band Crake was at a cosy gig at Salford’s Eagle Inn back in February, before all of this covid business took hold and doomed the live music scene to an unexpectedly long pause. Lucky for us, the four-piece are powering ahead thanks to support from independent label Saddle Creek to see through the release of ‘Enough Salt (For All Dogs)’ across digital platforms and on a new two-track 7” single. This single is the band’s first self-produced efforts that draws together lead vocalist and guitarist Rowan Sandle’s brilliant songwriting and poetic lyrics with the shimmering instrumentation brought by lead guitarist Russell Searle, drummer Rob Slater and bassist Sarah Statham. It’s a shimmering mix of indie-rock and alt-rock that shows an atypically hopeful side to Crake. You can learn more about the Northern outfit via Saddle Creek’s Document Series which produces one-off zines about their rosters. - Hannah Thacker   [Photo credit: Shaun Page]