China Bears: Participation Trophy (Fierce Panda Records)

Creating a niche for themselves as purveyors of anthemic, sensitive indie rock, Somerset quartet China Bears have been steadily building a profile since their 2017 debut single.

Given a clean, unfussy production by Idlewild guitarist Rod Jones, the best moments on Participation Trophy are when the tempo increases, as Easy Kill and I Will Break My Own Heart which recalls Doves banger Pounding underlines. Total Communication Breakdown, fittingly for a track that almost shares its title with the Led Zeppelin classic rocks the hardest out of the material here with a loud – quiet structure. The similarly dynamic Wasting My Life builds to a crescendo prior to the choruses, remiscent of the The National's live firepower.

Amidst the slower material I Always Wish You Were Here (With Me) and Gracie drag slightly, but North Star stands out is one of the set’s strongest cuts, with shades of Bloc Party’s most tender moment, Blue Light about it.

A set that would have benefitted from the quartet cutting loose to inject some ragged energy into the mix plus a slightly slimmed down tracklisting would have made for an improved disc. As a promising inaugural effort though, China Bears’ Participation Trophy is easily secured. 3/5