Apache Rose: Tiny Love – Single Review

Apache Rose release new track Tiny Love, a love letter to nineties and noughties rock that is pulled off with skill and passion.

Moscow-based rock project Apache Rose are one of those bands that know how to have a good time with their music. Written and produced by Ilya Novokhatskiy who spent time in the US as a child, he wears his heart on his sleeve and is unafraid to honour the bands he loves through his music. Track Tiny Love is a love letter to indie/rock and works well because it’s fun, inventive and full of musicians enjoying themselves.  

The track starts off in a mood to get you moving. Settled drums and tailored guitar riffs push the track forward with a dirty and sinister soundset that is fully realised when the confident vocals slide in, full of swagger and malice. Instantly you feel a throwback to British and American rock culture of the nineties and noughties, being unmistakably influenced by bands such as Arctic Monkeys and The Black Keys. I mean, the first line of the track “My tiny love is not enough” is actually a reference to Soundgarden’s Loud Love.

This love letter to bands they idolise is actually endearing rather than constricting, however. The band manage to entangle their favourite acts into their music, but still throw off sounds and ideas of their own. The heavy chorus is a great contrast to the more settled verses, with the band perfectly building this up in a playful yet accomplished manner. This is further complemented by over-the-top guitar solos that never know when to quit – in a good way. There’s also a well-constructed ‘slow-down’ section that breaks up the track nicely and allows for a breather.

Tiny Love is an energetic and playful track from talented musicians that know what they like and not ashamed of emulating their heroes. It’s refreshing to hear a band that are happy to stand on the shoulder of giants, but also manage to throw in new ideas to make the track more rounded and accomplished. A strong effort which makes you look forward to seeing where these guys go next.

Score: 3.5/5