Only a few singles in and Newcastle garage-indie three-piece Bear Park have already proven themselves masters of the fully energised, jubilant rock’n’roll earworm. Their latest delectable melody ‘Keep On Smiling’ is a charmingly indefatigable rush of positivity and playful wordsmithery, every bit as cheeky and unpretentious as it’s title would suggest.
Armed with the essentials of guitar, bass, drums, and also featuring a satisfyingly twisting middle 8 that pops up just when you think the song’s edging to a close, singer and songwriter Shay Bagnall’s lyrical simplicity tumbles between innocent lines like “In a rocket, tear another pocket” and uncomplicated, wistful imagery: “We were out ‘til the small hours, breathing in the midnight showers”, all wrapped up in a sunny car ride out with his girl.
‘Keep On Smiling’ was released on 29th March 2024 on 25 Hour Convenience Store records, produced by Gary Powell of The Libertines. You can take a watch of the song’s video below: