When We Are Apart: Magistrates Talk of Their Comeback

Press the rewind button back to 2009 and  Magistrates were everywhere you turned. Their fun, contagious tracks such as 'Colour Coordination' and 'Goldlover' secured them a vast, loyal fan base and the accolade of the music press.Having been featured on the Samsung NME Radar Tour and supporting Blur twice on their historical comeback, the future seemed limitless for the Essex quartet.

Despite their position, Magistrates removed themselves from the public eye for four years. As 2013 drew to a close however, fans were treated with the news of a mini-gig to debut the release of two new singles 'When We Are Apart', which was recently awarded NME's 'Track Of The Week' and 'B.T.P.A'. They were back again! So what had happened between then and now? 'I don’t like to say 'back' as to be honest we never really went away.' Paul Usher tells me. 'In terms of shows and releases, yes we disappeared from the light, but Magistrates has always been constant and making music. It is just right now we feel we have something that we want to share. Always new ideas to the very large table we own however, it has always been like that, natural progression.'  One of the new ideas they have shared with us so far has been the hilarious video to 'When We Are Apart'.  making use of retro footage from 1980s  'Lonely Hearts' ads and clever lip syncing. So is the tongue-in-cheek video a sign of the direction they'll be heading in? 'It is a great video that was created by VH/YES. I don’t really see it as tongue in cheek, it is just a colour that represent a colour of the record. Nothing can stay the same colour all the time and it is important always see things through a spectrum. The album has many colours and I know that the videos will represent those.' 

With this comeback there seems to be much anticipation, will there be an album? What about a tour? 'I couldn't give you a date to be honest just yet.' In regards to album ' It is in the almost finished stage, expect a lot of hours and love and honesty put onto a record.' As for a tour 'I hope so. We are currently sorting all of that business out at the moment. Very keen to get back over to our European neighbours. To be honest we have always been a band that have a motto of, if you’ll have us, we’ll be there.'

Finally, did musical legend Damon Albarn share any of his wisdom for the band when they had toured together? 'I can’t say he did on those shows. We spent time in his studio a few months before those shows and learnt a lot about space in music and melody. It was a great to play with Blur as they are such a talented iconic band'

You can follow the magistrates on Twitter and Facebook. Catch them play at The Lexington, London on the 28th Feb Get your tickets here

This post is dedicated to all the dog tired, punk/indie/guitar loving students out there desperately attempting to reach their essay word limit while the outside world goes by in a sunny haze. If you, like me, are looking everywhere for an ounce of motivation while you're glued to your laptop and books, then fear no more. For I have carried out an experiment today in your name where I was seeking the perfect album playlist to motivate you through the long hours.

I started with THE CLASH - THE SINGLES (running time approx 63.89)

The opening tracks will explode you into a state of bewildered awareness as Joe Strummer caws his way through London Calling, infects you with his Duracell bunny energy with Rock The Casbah and stamps his feet through Should I Stay or Should I Go? However by the time you reach The Magnificent Seven with its whole 'white working class man smoking a spliff' vibe you will be bobbing along to the reggae beat as you plough your way through your work. But don't worry as White Riot may shock you back into alertness should you start drifting away.  

Next up was the MANIC STREET PREACHERS - GENERATION TERRORISTS

This album will certainly be an inspiration to any student studying a course of a creative nature as we are told to 'regard all art critics as useless and dangerous' (quote taken from the Futurists' Manifesto). But before you begin, make yourself a coffee, take a moment to ponder on where on earth Richey could be right now, press play and get back to your essay. The teasing guitar work to Slash n' Burn will encourage you to Slash n' Burn through your workload and as we reach Natwest-Barclays-Midlands-Lloyds you can shout along which will relieve you from all that frustration that Student Finance inevitably brings. Repeat (stars and stripes) is certainly not for Royal family lovers (but if you love the Queen then why are you even a Manics' fan anyway dumbass?) but singing along to this punchy tune will make you feel naughty and rebellious, thus relieving any stress at being so tied to an institution such as University. Although depending on how you are getting along with University, I would avoid Theme from M*A*S*H (suicide is painless) should you be feeling really depressed.

Third on the list was JACK WHITE - BLUNDERBUSS

By this point, depending on your concentration levels you may be procrastinating quite heavily. Although Sixteen Saltines is quite a heavy, shout along track, Blunderbuss should begin relieving you off stress with the lyrically violent but still quite calming Love Interruption. By the time that White's cover of I'm Shakin makes an appearance, let off some steam by shimmying your booty around the room. Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy is also a nice little track to hum along to as you polish of your paragraphs.

If you're not yet in an essay coma, next is THE STONE ROSES - SECOND COMING

If you've made your way through all the previous albums and you've made it this far, you must be feeling pretty sleepy by now. Fear not, the Second Coming will ease you through with the epic intro to Breaking into Heaven giving you a reason to carry on living. Tracks such as Ten Storey Love Song and Straight to the Man are gentle on the ears and head. Begging You however will remind you that you are on a very important mission and will get your heart pounding along to the amazing bass line more then a Red Bull could ever achieve.

If you've made you're way through all these albums and are still tapping away at the keyboard, then for the love of God - GO TO SLEEP! This is my final few months at university and there are many more out there who are in the same position as I, wishing there were more hours in the day to reach those dreaded deadlines. I hope this album playlist will get you through those endless days and nights which are ironically too short.