Single Review: The Clause – ‘Nothing’s As It Seems’ + Album Announcement
VICTIM OF A CASUAL THING
If you’re going to introduce your debut album to the world, you may as well do it with fire in your belly whilst raising two fingers in the air and The Clause do exactly that with ‘Nothing’s As It Seems’. This isn’t just a single; it’s a battle cry from a band who’ve fought tooth and nail to get here.
From the off, Pearce Macca’s vocals soar like a flare above a backdrop of gritty guitars, punchy drums and flashes of synth that shimmer like city lights on a rainy night. There’s a rawness to it, sure, but it’s the kind that comes with lived experience, not studio polish. It’s that urgency, that “this has to work” energy, that grabs you by the collar.
Lyrically, ‘Nothing’s As It Seems’ doesn’t wallow, it rallies. “Don’t waste your time wishing that you were somewhere, ‘cause nothing matters when you’re six foot under,” is one hell of a line to lead with. Optimism, but laced with the edge of someone who’s been through it. This isn’t empty bravado; it’s a reminder to fight for every inch of your dream, no matter how battered it gets.
There’s a story behind it too, Macca channelling the pressure of being stuck in a town that’s moving without you, where everyone else seems to have it all figured out. That frustration bleeds through in every beat, but so does defiance. It’s the sound of someone refusing to fade quietly into the crowd.
If ‘Nothing’s As It Seems’ is the tone-setter, then The Clause’s debut album ‘Victim Of A Casual Thing’ (out October 17th) looks set to be the full technicolour statement. A cocktail of 60s swagger, 80s grooves, and 90s bite.
Pre-Order here: https://theclause.co.uk/collections/all
They’ve already earned their stripes on stage with the likes of Reytons and DMA’s, not to mention airplay from Radio 1 and 6 Music. This isn’t just potential anymore; it’s ignition.
But they’re not stopping at the record. The Clause will cap off 2025 with the biggest headline show of their career on December 19th at Birmingham’s O2 Academy, a massive 3000-cap venue that’s already seen the pre-sale fly out the door. A few tickets remain, but if their current momentum is anything to go by, not for long.
Before that, they’re set to rip through a summer stacked with festival appearances, from Mallorca to Tramlines and Kendal Calling.
Full dates below, catch them while you can.
Remaining tickets available here: https://theclause.co.uk/pages/tour
MAY
25th – Warrington, Neighbourhood Weekender
30th – Trentham Estate (supporting Ocean Colour Scene)
JUNE
7th – Stockton, Munro Festival
12th – Mallorca Live
14th – Portsmouth, Golden Touch Festival
21st – Isle of Wight Festival
27th – Barcelona, Polifonik Sound
JULY
25th – Oxfordshire, Truck Festival
26th – Preston Live
27th – Sheffield, Tramlines
AUGUST
3rd – Kendal Calling
15th – Norwich, Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus (with Courteeners)
16th – Hardwick Festival
30th – Stowmarket, FOMO Fest
NOVEMBER
14th – Coventry, HMV Empire (special guests to The Enemy)
DECEMBER
19th – Birmingham, O2 Academy (HEADLINE SHOW)
And for those counting down to the album, here’s what’s coming your way:
‘Victim Of A Casual Thing’ tracklist:
1. Prologue
2. Nothing’s As It Seems
3. Tell Me What You Want
4. In My Element
5. White Lifelines
6. Elisha
7. Exception
8. Weekend Millionaire
9. I Don’t Care
10. Fever Dream
11. Pink Moon
12. Don’t Blink
If this first single is anything to go by, ‘Victim Of A Casual Thing’ might just be the record that puts The Clause exactly where they’ve always belonged, front and centre, spotlight blazing, with a crowd screaming every word back at them.
