As Charli XCX says ‘they don’t build statues of critics’ and let’s face it I’m not exactly scathing. But this isn’t actually about me it’s about Part Time Model – who played Hyde Park Book Club tonight. In our little circle of music journalism the words ‘I liked them before…’ are at this point a commandment and i am mostly proudly saying I liked Part Time Model before their statues were built and they were christened in all their shining glory. 

Quote me on this: I demand it actually – Part Time Model are Leeds’ best grassroots band. Tell your friends. Tell your BBC Radio 6 superfan dad. I’ll say it again when their EP is out and in the future when they’ve probably got a really cool line of t-shirts out. They are a true marvel to behold. There was an intimacy within the crowd of knowing you were at the first local gig, a moment of something great and it reinstated any dissolving hope I had that local music was being snuffed out. The candle is lit, in fact it’s burning up and it’s infectious everywhere and I literally cannot get their songs out of my mind and they’re not even on Spotify yet.

God forbid! But alas dear reader they’ll be out soon enough and I must insist that you listen to them – however I doubt you’ll be able to capture their live sound truly. In Between songs they chatted lightly, probably slightly nervous at their sold out show, before their singles have even been released. The band’s reputation foes precede themselves, with experience in other fantastic local bands Slow Team & Jejune, its easy to say their sound is one that is curated, layered and professional. 

But they have found a particular niche, it pricks your ears and feels spacey. Think Olivia Dean overlaying In Rainbows. Underneath weird vocal effects that sound sort of like a sexy airline announcement – if Lucy Tessier is telling me to miss my flight-  let that plane fly i say. Next minute there’s bongos and then there’s also a cowbell? And sparkle sounds ? Whatever the percussionists are brewing up on the stage I don’t care but I like it so much. It’s not just ambience, it’s genuinely an interesting sound – they’re captivating is the short of it. 

Part Time Model will be returning to Hyde Park Book Club on 16th December with Oliver Pinder – and it’s not one to miss.

Words by Millie Cain